The Ministry of State, Ministry of Defence of Côte d'Ivoire, has officially opened registration for the Armed Forces Academy (AFA) of Zambakro for the year 2026. Whether you are a civilian graduate, a health professional or a career military officer, here is everything you need to know about the conditions and key dates.

1. The three access routes and required profiles

Recruitment is structured around three separate competitions, tailored to each candidate's background:

1. AFA "Direct" competition: For civilians with high academic potential.
2. License: Maximum age 25 years as of December 31, 2026.
3. Master's degree or higher: maximum age 26 on December 31, 2026.
4. "Medical Officer Trainee" (MEO) competition: For health specialists.
5. General practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, veterinarians: 30 years maximum.
6. Specialists or those enrolled in DES programs: Up to 35 years old.
7. AFA "Semi-direct" competition: For internal promotion within the armed forces.
8. Profile: Non-commissioned officers (Army or Gendarmerie) holding a Baccalaureate degree.
9. Age: Maximum 34 years old by December 31, 2026.

2. Calendar and registration procedures

The process is carried out exclusively online via the ministry's secure platform.

Competition	Registration begins	Registration closes
AFA Direct & MEO	Wednesday, March 11, 2026	Friday, April 24, 2026
AFA Semi-direct	Tuesday, April 21, 2026	Friday, May 1, 2026

Important note: All applications must be registered on the official portal: https://defense.ciconcours.net .

3. How to prepare?

Joining the elite of the Ivorian army in Zambakro requires rigorous preparation, both intellectual and physical. Make sure you have up-to-date scans of your diplomas and strictly adhere to the standard nationality and character requirements.