Short-term rental (Airbnb) market study in San Pedro, Ivory Coast 2026

Market context

Investing in short-term rentals in San Pedro via Airbnb or Booking requires complying with local rules (city hall declaration, registration number, tourist tax, 120-day annual cap on primary residence in tight markets).

Key indicators

Initial investment

50.0 M FCFA → 230.0 M FCFA

Depending on location and positioning

Year 1 revenue

3.3 M FCFA → 13.0 M FCFA

Year 1 target, ramp to 1.2-1.4x by year 3

Average ticket

12,000 FCFA → 40,000 FCFA

35 % target net margin

Payback period

96 months

Typical steady-state payback

Economic profile of the area

Population

261K inhabitants

Bas-Sassandra

Country

Ivory Coast

Tier 3 — secondary city

Setup cost

−58% vs average

Rent + labor index

Purchasing power

−72% vs average

Local disposable income

Dominant profile: portuaire · industrielle

Competition and positioning

Competitive density: moderate (first-mover advantage possible).

Dominant players: mix of family-owned independents and global groups (Accor, Marriott, IHG).

Positioning recommendation: Premium positioning defensible thanks to comfortable sector margin.

3-year financial projections

Indicator	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3
Year 1 revenue	3.3 M FCFA → 13.0 M FCFA	×1,18 (ramp-up)	×1,32 (steady-state)
Target net margin	negative to low	31 %	37 %
Working capital (days of revenue)	45-60 d	35-50 d	30-45 d
Cumulative ROI	investment	~50 %	Payback at 96 months

These ratios are calibrated on MarketLens sector benchmarks and adjusted by local coefficients of San Pedro, Ivory Coast (cost −58% vs average, income −72% vs average).

Main risks to anticipate

Strong seasonality: imbalanced margin over 3-4 critical months
OTA pressure (Booking, Airbnb): 15-20 % commissions to plan for
Heavy upfront investment, long payback (36-60 months)
Local regulations (licenses, taxes, accessibility standards)
Online reputation: rating below 4.0 collapses occupancy

Frequently asked questions

Is Airbnb rental still profitable in San Pedro?

Yes, depending on local regulation. Tight markets (Paris, Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon...) cap at 120 nights/year for primary residence. Secondary or dedicated property: typical revenue 3.3 M FCFA-13.0 M FCFA FCFA/year at 55-65 % occupancy. Gross yield 8-12 % vs 4-5 % unfurnished.

What operating costs to expect?

Cleaning and linen (12-18 % of revenue), platform commission (3-15 %), concierge if outsourced (15-25 %), repairs and maintenance (5-8 %), internet/streaming subscriptions, tourist tax (passed through). Total opex 30-45 % of revenue. Net margin 35 %.

Legal structure for professional Airbnb operation?

1-2 properties: passive furnished rental (favorable tax). 3+ properties or >23K FCFA revenue: professional furnished rental with depreciation and loss carry-forward. Beyond: family LLC, SPV, or family holding.

How to comply with regulation in San Pedro?

Steps: city hall declaration, registration number to display on Airbnb, 120-night cap if primary residence in tight market, tourist tax collection and remittance, business income reporting. Enforcement has tightened since 2023.

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