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From Abidjan to Divo, what3words addressing adopted by Côte d'Ivoire postal system

London-based tech firm what3words has added another national postal system to the list of services utilising its unique three-word addressing system.

La Poste, the national postal system in Côte d’Ivoire, is to adopt the firm’s three word addresses as an addressing standard, becoming the second to do so following a similar agreement in Mongolia.

The company’s system works by assigning fixed, three word address to every 3m by 3m squared section of the globe, bringing a static and consistent addresses to parts of the world that may lack proper addressing systems.

In Côte d’Ivoire, the lack of formal street names in major cities and the preponderance of informal settlements across the country means Le Poste does not deliver to home addresses, instead relying on post office boxes and descriptive directions.

Now the country’s 22.7m residence will be able to look up addresses on the what3words app, and write it on an envelope or parcel making home deliveries a reality for the first time in the West African nation.

Chris Sheldrick, CEO and Co-Founder of what3words, commented: “We are on a mission to change the way people communicate location. With our partners we are making the world a more efficient, less frustrating and safer place.

“The Cote d’Ivoire is the second country to use 3 word addresses to leapfrog the hundreds of other nations that still rely on inaccurate, inconsistent or complex addressing systems.”

Isaac Gnamba-Yao, Chief Executive Officer at La Poste de Côte d’Ivoire added: “With a burgeoning ecommerce industry, rapidly growing cities and an emerging middle class, African nations are outgrowing their informal addressing systems.

“In what3words, La Poste has found a simple solution that instantly provides Côte d’Ivoire with a robust and multi-lingual addressing system. 3 word addresses will help us to extend ecommerce opportunities, home delivery and support businesses in both urban and rural spaces.”

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