Togo: According to the Togolese Civil Code (article 224), the request for adoption must be presented to the Court of the residence of the adoptee. However, the High Court of Lomé has jurisdiction over intercountry adoptions by default. While a High Court Judge may pronounce a full and final adoption, he/she may do so only after consulting with the Ministry of Social Affairs, and specifically the Adoption office within . The High Court, with the assistance of the Ministry of Social Affairs, will identify and match a child with potential adoptive parents... more

Sierra Leone: Under Sierra Leonean law, adoptive parents are currently required to be resident in Sierra Leone for six months and to attend the court hearing for the adoption. Although in the past the High Court of Sierra Leone would sometimes waive either the personal appearance of prospective adoptive parents at adoption proceedings or the six-month residency requirement, this was always at the Court’s discretion and should not be considered the norm. The High Court is currently reviewing its application of the Adoption Act and practices... more

Niger: Nigerien law does not technically permit adoptions by couples with biological children. A longstanding policy of granting exceptions is under review by the Direction de la Protection de l'Enfant (DPE). There are no residency requirements but the process can be expected to take 6-12 months. In the last seven years, no Nigerien children have received U.S. immigrant visas on the basis of being orphans adopted by U.S. citizens. There are no US agencies placing children from Niger.

Nigeria: Document and identity fraud... more

Mali: The Government of Mali gives priority to Malian citizens for adoption of Malian children, but can consider applications from foreigners wishing to adopt Malian children as well. The Government of Mali places orphaned children with families according to the following order of preference: Malian nationals, foreign nationals residing in or who have resided in Mali, qualified foreign families without children and foreign families who have already adopted a Malian child. Adopted children are generally placed with married couples, in which... more

Kenya: Kenyan courts are not institutionally biased against foreigners seeking to adopt children in Kenya. Although it still remains an issue, the courts are beginning to take a more liberal view of racial differences between prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) and the adoptive child. Kenyan courts view the welfare of the child as paramount in reviewing an adoption case. Foreigners interested in adopting a child in Kenya may wish to employ legal representation that is familiar with Kenya's legal system, as the Kenyan Department of Children’s... more

Ethiopia: There are several U.S.-based adoption agencies authorized by the Government of Ethiopia to provide adoption services, and several others pending accreditation. Private adoptions are also legal and allowed, but discouraged. Ethiopia requires post placement reports on Ethiopian orphans at 3 months, 6 months, and one year after the adoption, then annual reports until the child turns 18. Ethiopia has the best-established international adoption programs and places the most children, by far. Waiting times for referrals are increasing,... more

Cote d'Ivoire: The adoption process requires a mandatory home study and an six-month integration period. Therefore, the court expects the prospective adoptive parent(s) to establish residency in Côte d’Ivoire. However, the prospective parent(s) may be from a foreign country. In such cases, they must explain the circumstances preventing them from establishing a temporary residency abroad and should submit proof that they visit the child regularly and provide for his/her care. Persons interested in adopting a child from Côte d’Ivoire must... more

Cameroon: Adoption is possible in Cameroon, although there is a minimum three month residency requirement with the child, before finalization can occur. Prospective adoptive parents should expect that a minimum of three months will pass between the date they submit their adoption application to the Ministry of Social Affairs and the date the High Court’s Public Prosecutor completes his/her review of the file. Only when the review is completed will a first hearing date be scheduled. In addition, a Cameroonian adoption is likely to be affected... more

Overview of adoption in Africa:

I am listing all countries in Africa and what their stance is on international adoption. For those countries that are doing international adoptions, I will send details of each in separate posts, but this will give you an alphabetical overview.

Algeria: Adoption as Americans refer to it is not allowed in Algeria, as it is a Muslim country. The "adoption" of a child is done under the rules for Kafala (or guardianship).

Angola: No information found.

Benin:... more