Discover Côte d’Ivoire

By Chrystel Malan, Deputy Managing Director of IVOSEP, Côte d’Ivoire

Since 2020, I have had the honour of serving as the Deputy Managing Director of IVOSEP, the first funeral service company in Côte d’Ivoire. My journey began at PWC Côte d’Ivoire, an international audit firm, followed by roles as CFO for two African groups. In 2012, I joined the CANAL+ Group, working across subsidiaries in the DRC, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire. These experiences have equipped me with the expertise to drive the modernization and optimization of our services at IVOSEP. My mission is to uphold exceptional service standards and reinforce our leadership in the Ivorian and sub-Saharan African funeral industry.

The funeral industry in Côte d’Ivoire is rapidly evolving to meet the essential needs of bereaved families. With approximately 10 undertakers and several municipal cemeteries, the country serves a population with a mortality rate of 10.8 deaths per 1,000 inhabitants (WHO, 2023). While cremation remains relatively uncommon, it presents a future growth opportunity for the sector.

The industry faces three major challenges:

• Affordability: Funeral services can be costly, particularly for viewing room hire and coffins. To address this, IVOSEP launched IVOSEP ASSISTANCE, a provident solution that enables families to plan and finance their funerals in advance.
• Competition and Digitalization: Integrating new technologies is crucial in this traditional sector. We are continuously modernizing our management tools to enhance service quality and customer experience through digitization.
• Cultural and Religious Sensitivities: As a multicultural country, Côte d’Ivoire has diverse death rituals. IVOSEP is committed to respecting these sensitivities by offering inclusive services tailored to meet the needs of all communities.

Founded over 65 years ago, IVOSEP is a cornerstone of the funeral services sector in Côte d’Ivoire. Our comprehensive services include the care of the deceased, body treatment and preservation, funeral transport, organization of funerals, and assistance with administrative formalities. With a fleet of over 160 hearses and a network of 48 agencies nationwide, IVOSEP delivers local, dedicated service through its 750 employees.

Our core values - Responsibility, Innovation, Customer Culture, Integrity, and Performance - guide our actions to provide compassionate and professional support during difficult times. As a national member of FIAT-IFTA, we will benefit from an international network of knowledge and resources, enhancing our ability to innovate and improve our practices. This affiliation keeps us at the forefront of industry developments and allows us to exchange ideas with global experts.

We look forward to collaborating with the international community of funeral operators.

www.ivosep.ci