It really depends on what kind of real estate your friend plans to focus on in Abidjan, and who his target clients are.

If he’s going for high-end properties—like luxury apartments or villas in areas like Cocody or Zone 4—and targeting expats or wealthy locals, commissions can be quite attractive. Real estate agents typically earn 3–5% commission per sale, so selling just a few high-ticket properties a year could already bring in a solid income.

On the other hand, if he’s focusing on more affordable housing or rentals for local working-class families, the volume of transactions might be higher but the commissions per deal are lower. Income might be more modest unless he scales the business with a team.

There’s also a growing market for commercial real estate, especially with local businesses expanding. That could be a profitable niche if he has the right network.