It is an expected reform that the Ivorian Senate has just ratified. The bill amending law no. 2019-576 of June 26, 2019 relating to the Construction and Housing Code was unanimously adopted by the competent Senate Committee. Supported by the Minister of Urban Planning, Housing and Living Environment, Moussa Sanogo, this text constitutes a significant step forward in the regulation of the Ivorian real estate sector.

The reform is based on three major axes. It first establishes compulsory insurance for builders (in particular all-risk construction site insurance before the start of work), and for owners. It then introduces the ten-year guarantee, forcing builders to respond for ten years for damage affecting the solidity of the works. Finally, it strengthens technical control to make all players in the real estate chain more responsible. 

In front of the senators, Minister Sanogo specified that the reform particularly targets buildings of two floors and more, establishments open to the public as well as constructions established on unstable soils. The objective is to reduce the risks of collapse, recurring during periods of heavy rains for two decades, and guarantee rapid compensation for victims thanks to the solvency requirement imposed on developers and builders.

Thus, in the event of a disaster, this new legal framework provides for an accelerated compensation mechanism. Victims will no longer be subjected to long and uncertain procedures.