The Ivorian minister of communication, Affoussiata Bamba-Lamine, told a press conference, at the close of council of ministers held on February 2, 2016, that a call to tenders would be launched in May 2016 for the issuing of operating licences for private commercial television.

“In May 2016, the call to tenders will be launched, followed by other steps related to the authorization process to allow new operators in the market for private commercial televisions,” said the minister of communication and spokesperson of government.

She indicated that a technical guarantee of €1.5 million (one billion CFA) would be demanded. Subscriptions will be received and sent to the High Authority of Audiovisual Communication (HACA). A commission will then be established to examine the subscriptions, knowingly funding and their source, as well as content offered.

Mrs Affoussiata Bamba-Lamine’s statement supports that of President Ouattara last February 11: “It is time for us to move to liberalization, in the coming months”. HACA’s president, Ibrahim Sy Savané, said the regulator is ready for liberalization. According to him, deadlines will be respected.

The Minister of Communication said all was set for liberalization of television in Cote d’Ivoire. “All technological changes to the industry, related to change to digital TV, and susceptible to delay the process, are no more a hindrance to the implementation of some of the process’ steps, that includes the authorization of progammes editors and multiplex operators,” said Affoussiata Bamba-Lamine.

Launched in 1992, audiovisual liberalization in Cote d’Ivoire so far involves only radio.