Committed to an ambitious policy of economic transformation and promotion of national products, the Ivorian government is making the strategic use of intellectual property a major driver of competitiveness. This vision has already yielded significant results with the awarding, in 2023, of the first three labels for Ivorian regional products, recognizing their quality, authenticity, and national expertise.
It is within this framework that the project to create the “Made in Côte d’Ivoire” label is being developed, aiming to strengthen the identity of Ivorian products and increase their visibility in regional and international markets.
To this end, the Côte d’Ivoire Export Agency (CI Export), in partnership with the Ivorian Intellectual Property Office (OIPI) and under the auspices of the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts, Mr. Kalil Konaté, organized a national workshop in Abidjan on June 25, 2026, dedicated to reviewing the technical documents that will govern the implementation of this future label.
Representing the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts, Mr. Ibrahim Coulibaly, Technical Advisor, officially opened the workshop. In his address, he reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to making the future “Made in Côte d’Ivoire” label a strategic tool for promoting national products, creating value, and strengthening the competitiveness of Ivorian businesses.
The Director General of the Ivorian Intellectual Property Office (OIPI), Dr. Koffi Paul Assande, highlighted the crucial role of intellectual property in building a credible, reliable, and sustainable label. He emphasized that intellectual property tools, particularly geographical indications and collective trademarks, are proven mechanisms for guaranteeing the origin, quality, and added value of Ivorian products.
According to him, the future “Made in Côte d’Ivoire” label must transcend its function as a simple distinguishing mark to become a genuine guarantee of trust for consumers, thereby strengthening the competitiveness of national businesses and promoting Ivorian expertise.
The discussions during the workshop enriched the project’s technical documents, clarified the eligibility criteria, control procedures, and governance mechanisms of the future label, using a participatory approach that involves all stakeholders.
For the OIPI, this initiative marks a new stage in the national strategy for promoting Ivorian products through intellectual property. It will help to increase the value of local products, facilitate their access to regional and international markets and enhance the visibility of Ivorian excellence, particularly in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
