Ivory coast strengthens digital ad regulation with new oversight measures

The Ivory Coast is taking decisive steps to modernize its advertising sector, positioning it as a key driver for economic growth. During a June 2, 2026 forum in Abidjan titled All You Need to Know, Alassane Koné, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Communication and President of the Superior Council of Advertising (CSP), outlined the country’s ambitious regulatory reforms to address the rapid shifts in digital advertising.

Navigating the digital advertising revolution

The CSP’s leader highlighted three critical challenges hindering effective regulation: the lightning-fast pace of technological advancements, the borderless nature of digital platforms, and the urgent need for highly skilled professionals to monitor content rigorously. “Traditional regulatory frameworks simply cannot keep up with the digital evolution,” Koné remarked, emphasizing the difficulty of overseeing platforms operating across multiple jurisdictions.

Legislative milestones to curb irregularities

To tackle these issues, the Ivory Coast has already made significant progress by enacting Law No. 2022-979 on December 20, 2022, which establishes the legal framework for audiovisual communication. Under this law, influencers with over 25,000 subscribers are now subject to the same regulations as audiovisual broadcasters, overseen by the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA).

The CSP is also doubling down on consumer protection, enforcing strict pre-approval requirements for advertisers through the Commission for Control and Validation (CCV). Koné warned that deceptive advertising practices will face severe penalties, including fines of 3% to 5% of annual turnover or even criminal prosecution, with potential jail sentences of up to two months.

A market with untapped potential

Despite contributing less than 1% to the country’s GDP and generating around 30 billion West African CFA francs, the Ivorian advertising market pales in comparison to peers in the region. Koné acknowledged the disparity, noting that neighboring countries with smaller economies often achieve higher advertising revenues—a gap the reforms aim to close.