On Thursday, April 30, 2026, the business community in Abidjan-Plateau buzzed with activity for the 3rd session of the Export Morning . Organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d'Ivoire (CCI-CI) and the Côte d'Ivoire Export Agency, the event focused on a vital issue: "Compliance with international standards and certifications for export."

An imperative for competitiveness

Désiré Konan, Deputy Secretary General of the CCI-CI, was unequivocal: on the global stage, the intrinsic quality of a product is no longer enough. To cross the borders of the European Union, North America, or Asia, companies must now demonstrate their commitment to excellence in several areas:

1. Technical and sanitary ;
2. Environmental ;
3. Social .

"For our SMEs, mastering these standards represents both a challenge and an opportunity for sustainable growth," Mr. Konan emphasized.

Transforming potential into concrete successes

Côte d'Ivoire, with its strong agro-industrial sector and emerging industries, aims to diversify its offerings. According to Vamé Coulibaly, representing the Côte d'Ivoire Export Agency, the objective is to bring about a genuine paradigm shift . It's no longer about adapting on an ad hoc basis, but about integrating a culture of continuous quality to gain credibility.

Key takeaways from the session

The meeting provided economic operators with concrete tools to benefit from:

1. Mapping of standards required in major global markets.
2. Control of costs and stages of the standardization process.
3. Referral to support structures and assistance mechanisms.

Expertise at the service of entrepreneurs

A high-level panel of experts from Intertek, BNA, Food's Co, and Lanema met. Their conclusion was unanimous: compliance is the essential key to:

1. Strengthen the confidence of international buyers;
2. Enhancing the brand image of "Made in Ivory Coast";
3. Accessing high value-added markets.

In short, this Export Morning reaffirms that standardization is not a barrier, but a powerful lever for growth for the Ivorian economy.