Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – A significant initiative to modernize Côte d’Ivoire’s advertising landscape is underway, with authorities committed to transforming the sector into a vital engine for economic development. Alassane Koné, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Communication and President of the Higher Council for Advertising (CSP), underscored this vision during the “Tout savoir sur” (TSS) exchange forum, hosted by the Government Information and Communication Center (CICG) on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
Navigating the profound shifts brought about by digital technology and the escalating challenges of advertising oversight, the CSP President highlighted that regulating digital advertising stands as a paramount institutional priority.
He identified three primary hurdles: the rapid pace of digital technological advancements, the inherently cross-border nature of digital platforms, and the critical need for highly skilled human resources to effectively monitor online content.
“The digital realm evolves at a pace far exceeding traditional regulatory frameworks,” Koné explained, emphasizing the difficulty for national authorities to govern platforms whose operations transcend national borders.
To address these complex challenges, Koné confirmed that Côte d’Ivoire has already taken a crucial step forward with the enactment of Law n°2022-979 on December 20, 2022, which establishes the legal framework for audiovisual communication.
This landmark legislation now mandates that influencers with over 25,000 subscribers adhere to the regulations governing audiovisual communication, with oversight provided by the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA).
The Technical Advisor to the Minister of Communication also stressed the imperative of safeguarding consumers from deceptive advertising content. To this end, he reiterated that Ivorian law requires advertisers to submit their campaigns for prior validation by the CSP’s Control and Validation Commission (CCV).
Despite these measures, the CSP President lamented the persistence of irregular advertising practices. He issued a stern warning that offenders face severe penalties, including fines ranging from 3% to 5% of their turnover, and even criminal prosecution that could result in two months of imprisonment.
Currently, Côte d’Ivoire’s national advertising market contributes less than 1% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), generating approximately 30 billion CFA francs. This figure starkly contrasts with some neighboring countries, which report more robust performance in their advertising sectors, even with potentially less developed markets, highlighting a significant area for growth within the African economy today.
