The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGCE), attached to the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire, is the central body responsible for implementing national foreign trade policy. It plays a strategic role in promoting exports, regulating international trade, and defending the country’s commercial interests on the world stage. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGCE) is headed by a Director General appointed by decree issued by the Council of Ministers. The Director General holds the rank of Director General of Central Administration.
In accordance with the responsibilities defined by the Ministry, the DGCE is tasked with:
- Promoting and organizing the marketing of Ivorian products on the international market
- Initiating and coordinating negotiations, as well as monitoring bilateral trade agreements and conventions, particularly concerning exported commodities
- Monitoring Côte d’Ivoire’s relations with international and intergovernmental organizations operating in the field of trade
- Periodically informing the Government on the status of raw materials, finished and semi-finished products intended for export, in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture
- Improving the export environment
- Participating in the activities of trade attachés and advisors at Ivorian embassies and monitoring foreign trade missions in Côte d’Ivoire, in conjunction with the Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Regulating and controlling the foreign trade regime
- Managing the import and export of regulated products
- Participating in the development and implementation of tariff and non-tariff policies input and output
The DGCE is structured into five central directorates, each with specific responsibilities:
THE DIRECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL COOPERATION (DCIR)
The Directorate of International and Regional Cooperation (DCIR) is headed by a Director appointed by decree. The Director holds the rank of Director of Central Administration. Its responsibilities include:
- Developing, proposing, and monitoring the implementation of the Ministry's international and regional cooperation policy;
- Ensuring the consistency of international agreements, conventions, and partnerships with national priorities for trade and industrial development.
- Ensure the coordination of bilateral, multilateral, and regional cooperation activities in the areas of trade and industry.
- Identify, negotiate, and monitor technical and financial cooperation agreements with foreign partners (countries, institutions, agencies, etc.).
- Participate in mobilizing external resources to finance the Ministry's projects.
- Ensure the administrative and technical management of assistance and support programs provided by international partners.
- Represent the Ministry in regional and international organizations and bodies (WTO, UNCTAD, ECOWAS, WAEMU, AU, UNIDO, etc.).
- Monitor the implementation of regional and international trade agreements, including commitments related to the AfCFTA, EPAs, and other conventions.
- Contribute to the harmonization of trade and industrial policies within African community spaces.
- Develop partnerships with countries of the Global South based on the exchange of experiences, technology transfer, and co-development.
- Promote triangular cooperation initiatives involving a developing country, a donor country, and Côte d'Ivoire. of Ivory Coast
- Participate in pan-African economic and industrial integration programs
- Monitor global cooperation and financing opportunities
Prepare monitoring, analysis, and evaluation reports for cooperation projects - Propose tools to optimize the results of cooperation activities for trade and industrial development.
The Directorate of International and Regional Cooperation comprises three Sub-Directorates:
- The Sub-Directorate for International Trade Organizations and Agreements
- The Sub-Directorate for Bilateral and Regional Cooperation
- The Sub-Directorate for Support to Negotiations and Promotion of Agreements
The Sub-Directorates of the Directorate of International and Regional Cooperation are headed by Sub-Directors appointed by decree. They hold the rank of Sub-Director of Central Administration.
THE DIRECTORATE OF FOREIGN TRADE PROMOTION AND EXPORT ASSISTANCE (DPCEAE)
The Directorate for the Promotion of Foreign Trade and Export Assistance (DPCEAE) is headed by a Director appointed by decree. He holds the rank of Director of Central Administration. Its responsibilities include:
- Designing, proposing, and implementing the national export development strategy
- Ensuring the consistency of external trade policies with Côte d'Ivoire's international commitments
- Identifying products and sectors with high export potential, in line with national processing strategies
- Implementing actions aimed at diversifying export markets for Ivorian products
- Supporting the development and competitiveness of products intended for export, particularly through compliance with international norms and standards
- Organizing and coordinating the participation of Ivorian companies in trade fairs, exhibitions, and trade missions abroad
- Providing technical, administrative, and commercial support to companies wishing to access foreign markets
- Providing information on market opportunities, conditions of access, and customs and tax regulations
- Assisting with the preparation of export files, obtaining certificates of origin, and export authorizations
- Contributing to the establishment of financing, insurance, and guarantee mechanisms Exports
- Participate in the development of specific support programs for exporting SMEs
- Promote the creation of free trade zones, logistics platforms, and other mechanisms to facilitate foreign trade
- Collect, analyze, and disseminate statistics on Côte d'Ivoire's trade with its partners
- Implement an international trade intelligence system, including monitoring global market trends
- Prepare export performance reports and formulate recommendations to improve the trade balance.
The Directorate for the Promotion of Foreign Trade and Export Assistance comprises three Sub-Directorates:
- The Sub-Directorate for Exports and Trade Expansion
- The Sub-Directorate for Export Assistance and Competitiveness
- The Sub-Directorate for Trade Information and Economic Intelligence
The Sub-Directorates of the Directorate for the Promotion of Foreign Trade and Export Assistance are headed by Sub-Directors appointed by decree. They hold the rank of Sub-Director of Central Administration.
THE DIRECTORATE OF TRADE REGULATION (DRE)
The Directorate of Trade Regulation (DRE) is headed by a Director appointed by decree. He holds the rank of Director of Central Administration. Its responsibilities include:
- Developing and implementing the national trade regulation strategy, in line with national economic priorities;
- Ensuring a balance between supply and demand for consumer goods on the domestic market;
- Participating in the regulation of import and export flows to protect national economic interests;
- Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating statistics on Côte d'Ivoire's trade with its partners;
- Implementing an international trade monitoring system, including tracking global market trends;
- Preparing export performance reports and formulating recommendations to improve the trade balance;
- Processing and issuing import, export, and re-export authorizations in conjunction with the relevant departments;
- Ensuring compliance with rules of origin, quotas, and trade licenses in foreign trade;
- Managing sensitive or strategic products requiring specific regulation (petroleum products, foodstuffs, etc.);
- Working closely with customs, tax, statistical, agricultural, and industrial administrations. for optimal trade regulation.
- Participate in national and international meetings related to trade regulation.
- Support the implementation of regional regulations and trade agreements in the area of regulation (WAEMU, ECOWAS, AfCFTA).
- Collect, analyze, and disseminate data related to trade (imports, exports, trade balance).
- Establish a monitoring system for national and international market trends.
- Formulate proposals for adjusting trade policies based on market fluctuations.
The Trade Regulation Directorate comprises four Sub-Directorates:
- The Regulation Sub-Directorate
- The Trade Facilitation and Trade Balance Sub-Directorate
- The Export and Import Quality Assessment Sub-Directorate
- The Used Vehicle Code Sub-Directorate
The Sub-Directorates of the Trade Regulation Directorate are headed by Sub-Directors appointed by decree. They hold the rank of Deputy Director of Central Administration.
THE DIRECTORATE OF MARKETING AND ORGANIZATION OF COMMODITIES (DCOPB)
The Directorate of Marketing and Organization of Commodities (DCOPB) is headed by a Director appointed by decree. He holds the rank of Director of Central Administration. Its responsibilities include:
- Developing and implementing the national marketing strategy for agricultural, mining, forestry, and other commodity products;
- Ensuring consistency between production, processing, and marketing policies;
- Monitoring market trends and proposing regulatory measures adapted to price and demand fluctuations;
- Monitoring and analyzing the commodity value chain, from producer to end consumer;
- Supporting the structuring and professionalization of supply chains by promoting the organization of stakeholders (cooperatives, interprofessional organizations, etc.);
- Contributing to the traceability, certification, and quality of commodity products marketed on local and international markets;
- Facilitating access for producers and professional organizations to formal and profitable commercial channels;
- Establishing mechanisms to stabilize producer incomes, particularly in relation to minimum or indicative prices;
- Promoting the creation of exchange platforms, aggregation markets, and appropriate commercial infrastructure; and
- Overseeing the creation, recognition, and operation of these platforms. and the regulation of professional organizations (cooperatives, unions, etc.)
- Strengthening the capacities of these organizations to improve their governance, business management, and representation in national bodies.
- Collecting and disseminating market information on prices, demand, standards, and market opportunities for commodities.
- Conducting strategic monitoring of international markets, particularly those for agricultural and industrial raw materials.
- Assessing the impacts of trade agreements, tax policies, and customs policies on the competitiveness of Ivorian commodities.
- Promoting their integration into financing, storage, and collective marketing mechanisms.
The Directorate of Marketing and Organization of Commodities comprises three Sub-Directorates:
- The Sub-Directorate for the Marketing of Cash Crops, Forestry Products, and Diversification
- The Sub-Directorate for Market Research and Analysis
- The Sub-Directorate for Relations with Commodity Organizations
The Sub-Directorates of the Directorate of Marketing and Organization of Commodities are headed by Sub-Directors appointed by decree. They hold the rank of Sub-Director of Central Administration.
THE DIRECTORATE OF ELECTRONIC COMMERCE (DCE)
The Directorate of Electronic Commerce (DCE) is headed by a Director appointed by decree. He has the rank of Director of Central Administration. Its responsibilities include:
- Designing, proposing, and implementing the national e-commerce development strategy, in line with the country's digital transformation policy;
- Ensuring the regulatory and institutional framework for e-commerce, in conjunction with other relevant ministries and partners;
- Promoting an environment conducive to the growth of digital commerce, particularly for SMEs, artisans, and young entrepreneurs;
- Participating in the regulation of digital sales platforms and the security of online transactions;
- Ensuring the protection of consumers and personal data in e-commerce activities;
- Collaborating with the relevant authorities (ARTCI, CNDP, etc.) to guarantee compliance with cybersecurity, taxation, and fair competition standards;
- Supporting businesses, particularly SMEs, startups, and cooperatives, in their transition to online commerce;
- Organizing training sessions, workshops, and awareness campaigns on digital tools, digital marketing, and electronic payments;
- Promoting the integration of Ivorian products on national and international e-commerce platforms;
- Contributing to the implementation Adapted digital infrastructure (logistics platforms, payment systems, relay points, etc.)
- Promote public-private partnerships for innovation in the distribution, logistics, and delivery of goods sold online
- Encourage the creation of national digital marketplaces to boost the visibility of local products
- Establish a technological and economic monitoring system for the evolution of e-commerce at the national, regional, and international levels.
- Monitor e-commerce sector performance indicators and propose strategic adjustments
- Produce reports, studies, and statistics on the uses, challenges, and opportunities of digital commerce in Côte d'Ivoire.
The Directorate of Electronic Commerce comprises two Sub-Directorates:
- The Sub-Directorate for the Regulation of Electronic Commerce
- The Sub-Directorate for the Development and Promotion of Electronic Commerce
The Sub-Directorates of the Directorate of Electronic Commerce are headed by Sub-Directors appointed by decree. They hold the rank of Sub-Director of Central Administration.
The missions and responsibilities of the DGCE (Directorate General for Foreign Trade) are defined by several regulatory texts, including:
- Decree No. 2022-601 of August 3, 2022, concerning the responsibilities of members of the Government.
- Decree No. 2013-166 of March 6, 2013, approving the Concession Agreement for the design, financing, installation, operation, and maintenance of a computerized Single Window for Foreign Trade (GUCE).
- Decree No. 2017-567 approving the program for verifying the conformity of products shipped to Côte d’Ivoire.
- Ordinance No. 2020-952 of December 9, 2020, concerning tariff dismantling within the framework of the Economic Partnership Agreement between Côte d’Ivoire and the European Union.
Tel: +225 27 20 32 24 54
Email: ngoranyao@yahoo.fr
Address: Plateau, Signal building, ground floor (Police Headquarters)
