Abidjan, 03 juin 2026 – Ivorian authorities are firmly committed to modernizing the nation’s communication sector, aiming to transform it into a significant driver of economic development. This commitment was reiterated by Alassane Koné, technical advisor to the Minister of Communication and President of the Conseil supérieur de la publicité (CSP), during the “Tout savoir sur” (TSS) exchange forum, organized by the Centre d’information et de communication gouvernementale (CICG) on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
Amidst the profound shifts brought about by digital advancements and the escalating challenges in advertising oversight, the CSP president emphasized that effective regulation of digital advertising stands as one of the institution’s paramount priorities today.
He identified three primary hurdles impeding robust oversight: the breakneck speed of digital technological evolution, the inherently cross-border nature of digital platforms, and the crucial need for highly skilled human capital to ensure diligent monitoring of online content.
“The digital realm evolves at a pace far exceeding traditional regulatory frameworks,” explained the CSP president. He further highlighted the inherent difficulty for national bodies to govern platforms whose operations frequently transcend national boundaries.
To proactively address these intricate challenges, Mr. Koné revealed that Côte d’Ivoire has already taken a pivotal 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 digital influencers boasting over 25,000 subscribers adhere to the same stringent rules applicable to conventional audiovisual communication, with oversight provided by the Haute autorité de la communication audiovisuelle (HACA).
The technical advisor to the Minister of Communication also underscored the vital importance of safeguarding consumers from deceptive advertising content. To this end, he reminded stakeholders that Ivorian law obliges advertisers to submit their campaigns for prior approval by the Commission de contrôle et de validation (CCV) of the CSP.
The CSP president expressed concern over the persistent instances of irregular advertising practices. He issued a stern warning that offenders face severe penalties, which can range from substantial fines amounting to 3 to 5 percent of their turnover to criminal prosecution, potentially leading to imprisonment for up to two months.
Currently, the national advertising market contributes less than 1 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), generating approximately 30 billion CFA francs. This figure starkly contrasts with the more robust performance observed in some neighboring countries, even those with less developed markets, underscoring the significant growth potential within Côte d’Ivoire’s digital advertising sector.
