Côte d’Ivoire strengthens digital advertising regulation amidst evolving challenges

Abidjan, June 3, 2026 – Alassane Koné, the technical advisor to the Minister of Communication and President of the Higher Council for Advertising (CSP), recently affirmed Côte d’Ivoire’s unwavering commitment to modernize its advertising sector. This strategic move aims to transform the industry into a significant driver of economic growth. Mr. Koné’s remarks were made during the “Tout savoir sur” (TSS) interactive forum, organized by the Government Information and Communication Centre (CICG) on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Addressing the profound shifts brought about by digital transformation and the escalating complexities of advertising oversight, the CSP President highlighted that regulating digital advertising stands as one of the institution’s paramount challenges today.

He pinpointed three critical hurdles impeding effective regulation: the rapid pace of digital technological advancements, the inherently cross-border nature of digital platforms, and the crucial need for highly skilled human resources to effectively monitor content.

“The digital landscape evolves at a pace far exceeding traditional regulatory frameworks,” explained the CSP President. He further elaborated on the inherent difficulty for national authorities to govern platforms whose operations frequently extend beyond state borders, creating a complex regulatory environment.

In response to these formidable challenges, Mr. Koné noted that Côte d’Ivoire has already taken a pivotal step forward with the enactment of Law n°2022-979 on December 20, 2022. This legislation establishes the legal framework for audiovisual communication.

Crucially, this new law now mandates that influencers with over 25,000 subscribers adhere to the same rules applicable to traditional audiovisual communication, with oversight provided by the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (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 reiterated that Ivorian legislation requires all advertisers to submit their campaigns for prior approval by the Control and Validation Commission (CCV) of the CSP.

Despite these measures, the CSP President expressed concern over the persistent prevalence 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 potential criminal prosecution, which could lead to imprisonment for up to two months.

Currently, the national advertising market contributes less than 1% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generates approximately 30 billion CFA francs. This figure pales in comparison to several neighboring countries that boast more robust advertising sectors, even with potentially less developed markets.