Essentials
- City
- Moutsamoudou (Mutsumudu), Anjouan Island, Comoros
- Population
- Approximately 30,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 5-10 Mbps via ADSL; 4G is more reliable reaching 15 Mbps in the city center.
- Currency & Banking
- Comorian Franc (KMF); 1 EUR ≈ 492 KMF, 1 USD ≈ 465 KMF. Cash-heavy economy.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Bottled water (e.g., Karthala) is essential, prices around 500 KMF per 1.5L.
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. Frequent load shedding; backups recommended.
- SIM Card
- Comores Telecom (Huri) and Telma Comores. Telma offers better data packages (~5,000 KMF for 10GB).
- Banking for Expats
- Banque de Développement des Comores (BDC) and Exim Bank. Only local KMF cards widely used.
- Accommodation
- Limited options; guesthouses like Al-Amal or private rentals near the port.
- Cashless Friendly
- No, cards are rarely accepted except in high-end hotels. Carry cash (KMF and Euros).
- Short Term Rentals
- Very few via Airbnb. Local negotiation for serviced apartments near Boulevard de la Corniche.
- Budget Accommodation
- Hôtel Al-Amal (~25,000 KMF per night) or Pension Karibu.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- The Citadel area (Medina) for history and proximity to the harbor.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Hombo or any area near the main government offices for better power stability.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None officially. Digital nomads use lobbies of Hotel Relais de Sindzile.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Le Select (near the port), offers decent coffee and sufficient table space.
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings at Alliance Française de Moutsamoudou.
- Social Events for Expats
- The bar at Hotel Al-Amal is the primary social hub for foreign workers and expats.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps. Shared taxis (Taxi-be) are ubiquitous; 250-500 KMF per trip within the city.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- No formal rental shops. Best to negotiate with locals in the Medina (~5,000 KMF/day).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Bimbini Beach, roughly 45 minutes by taxi from the center.
- Top Regional Airline
- Inter Îles Air (connecting to Moroni and Ouani Airport).
- Top International Airline
- Ethiopian Airlines or Air Madagascar (usually via Moroni or Mayotte).
- Highway Access
- RN2 coastal road connects Moutsamoudou to Domoni and the airport.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains. The Port of Mutsumudu is the primary hub for ferry travel to other islands.
- Public Transport Passes
- None. Pay cash per ride in shared vans (Taxi-brousse).
- Regional Travel
- Slow boat/ferry to Mohéli or Moroni; flights from Ouani Airport (AJN) for ~40,000 KMF.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Centre Hospitalier Régional de Hombo (Basic facilities only; evacuation recommended for serious issues).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- No dedicated studios; private practice on beaches or hotel gardens.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Small gym facilities at Al-Amal Hotel; local football clubs train at the stadium.
- Laundry Services
- Primarily through hotel services or local home-based 'lavoirs'.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None available. Personal delivery can be arranged with local moto-taxis.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Langouste à la Vanille (Lobster with vanilla sauce) or Pilaou (spiced rice).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Very limited; local vegetable curries and 'M'tsolola' (green bananas) are available at markets.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Patisserie de la Corniche for local cakes and French-influenced pastries.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Grand Marché de Moutsamoudou for spices, fruit, and basics.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Non-existent. Everything is bought in physical markets.
- Grocery Delivery
- None. Shop at small 'alimentation' stores like Alimentation Generale near the mosque.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Extremely quiet due to religious customs. Al-Amal Hotel serves alcohol to foreigners.
- Local Brewery
- None. Alcohol is imported (mainly French beer/wine) and expensive.
- Wine Bars
- Only available in upper-tier hotel restaurants.
- Street Food Stalls
- Vendors in the Medina selling 'Mshakiki' (grilled meat skewers) for ~500 KMF.
- Popular International Cuisine
- French-influenced seafood at various hotel restaurants.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Citadelle (Moutsamoudou Fortress) overlooking the city.
- Museums & Art Venues
- National Center for Documentation and Research (CNDRS) local branch.
- Historical Sites
- The 15th-century Friday Mosque and the winding streets of the old Medina.
- Religious Sites
- The Grand Mosque of Moutsamoudou (Mosquée du Vendredi).
- Annual Events
- Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha festivals feature massive cultural celebrations.
- Cultural Districts
- The Medina, a maze-like ancient Swahili district.
- Theater Venues
- Cultural shows are usually hosted at the Alliance Française.
- Local Markets
- Mutsumudu Market (The bazaar) for cloves, ylang-ylang, and vanilla.
- Music Scene
- Twarab music (traditional Swahili fusion) performed at weddings and festivals.
- Street Art
- Minimal; some political and religious murals around the port.
- Cooking Classes
- No formal classes; best arranged informally through guesthouse hosts.
- Art Galleries
- Temporary exhibitions at the Alliance Française.
- Historic Buildings
- Palais d'Ujumbé (Historic Sultan's residence).
- Local Heritage
- Perfume production: Anjouan is known as the 'Island of Perfumes' for Ylang-Ylang.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lake Dziani Boundouni (Sulphurous lake about 1.5 hours away).
- National Parks Nearby
- Mount Ntringui National Park (highest point on Anjouan).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Steep hiking trails lead from the city up toward the central highlands.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Upper walls of the Citadelle for a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean.
- Birdwatching Locations
- The forested slopes of Mount Ntringui for endemic species.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Remote beaches like Moyeri (permission from local village head advised).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- SNPS (Société Nationale des Postes et Services Financiers).
- Tech Repair Services
- Small repair stalls near the Post Office for mobile phones.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Youth centers near the port occasionally have tables.
- Language Classes
- French and Shindzuani classes at Alliance Française.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- The reading room at Alliance Française de Moutsamoudou.
- Community Centers
- Maison de la Culture de Mutsumudu.
- Gaming Lounges
- Not available.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Gaming is largely prohibited/non-existent due to local customs.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €44,000); market is informal.
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €24,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €60,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €550 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €33,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €72,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €40,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 35% (standard rate for large companies).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Territorial tax system for individuals, but enforcement is limited for foreigners.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30%
- VAT
- No VAT, but there is a consumption tax (TIP) on imports.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules currently enforced.
- Property Tax
- Yes, but assessment is inconsistent; roughly 10-20% of rental value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Registration duties around 5-9%.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific digital nomad visa or tax breaks; most stay on tourist visas.