Will my Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) plug work in South Africa?

Partly. Some of your Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) plug types (Type C) fit South Africa sockets, but others do not. Bring a compact adapter for the rest.

What plug type does South Africa use?

South Africa uses Type C, Type M, Type N. The supply is 230V at 50Hz.

Do I need a voltage converter for South Africa when travelling from Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)?

South Africa runs on 230V, the same as Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Any charger that works at home will work there.

Is the electrical frequency in South Africa the same as Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)?

Frequency in South Africa is 50Hz, the same as Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast).

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From Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to South Africa

Some plugs match

When travelling from Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to South Africa: Some of your Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) plug types fit in South Africa (C). Bring a compact adapter for the others. Voltage matches at 230V, so a basic plug adapter is enough for most devices. Frequency is the same at 50Hz.

Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

→

South Africa

Your plugs

Type C

Fits

Type E

No fit

Accepted in South Africa

Type C

Type M

Type N

1 of 2 plug type(s) match

You: C, E • South Africa: C, M, N

No fit for: E

Voltage: 230V → 230V

Same voltage

Frequency: 50Hz → 50Hz

Same frequency

You will need an adapter

Adapters you may need

Your plug shape does not fully match.

Browse adapters for South Africa

About electricity in South Africa

South Africa is 230V/50Hz with Type C, M, and N sockets. Type M is the older 15A three-pin standard; Type N is the newer compact one. Both are in active use.

Grid & history

Eskom operates the national grid, which has suffered chronic load-shedding since the 2010s as ageing coal plants struggle to keep up with demand. The renewable rollout is underway but the transition is slow.

Availability

Scheduled load-shedding (rolling blackouts) is a regular fact of life. Most hotels, restaurants, and offices have generator or battery backup; private homes increasingly run inverters.

Sockets & hotels

Type M (large round-pin) dominates older buildings; Type N (smaller, newer) is replacing it. Type C Europlugs fit Type N sockets but not Type M without an adapter.

Energy mix

Renewables15%

Fossil80%

Nuclear5%

Coal-heavy; renewables and battery storage growing.

Practical tips

A Type M adapter is essential and not always included in universal kits. Buy one before you arrive.
Bring a power bank; assume scheduled load-shedding during your stay (apps like EskomSePush show the daily schedule).
Voltage is 230V; standard chargers handle it.

Need an adapter?

Find reliable travel adapters for ZA on Amazon.

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Frequently asked questions

Will my Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) plug work in South Africa?: Partly. Some of your Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) plug types (Type C) fit South Africa sockets, but others do not. Bring a compact adapter for the rest.
What plug type does South Africa use?: South Africa uses Type C, Type M, Type N. The supply is 230V at 50Hz.
Do I need a voltage converter for South Africa when travelling from Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)?: South Africa runs on 230V, the same as Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Any charger that works at home will work there.
Is the electrical frequency in South Africa the same as Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)?: Frequency in South Africa is 50Hz, the same as Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast).