The Minister of the Environment and Ecological Transition, Abou Bamba , is displaying unwavering determination. During a working session with the National Environment Agency (ANDE) on Thursday, March 19, 2026, the minister unveiled an aggressive strategy to end environmental impunity in the country.

The end of compromises: Article 68 at the heart of the action

Faced with the resurgence of illegal landfilling and pollution of the lagoon, both plastic and atmospheric, the message is clear: zero tolerance is now the order of the day. The minister announced the strict application of Article 68 of the Environmental Code . From now on, no project, whatever its nature, will be allowed to proceed without a prior environmental and social impact assessment.

"The time for compromise is over. No activity negatively impacting the lives of Ivorians will be tolerated without total compliance," Abou Bamba insisted.

Major reforms for a national impact

To realize this vision, several key measures have been announced:

1. National deployment of ANDE: The agency is leaving Abidjan to establish itself in the 31 regions of Ivory Coast within the next few weeks.
2. The "Polluter Pays" principle: This system will be rigorously applied. Systematic fines will be imposed on those responsible for pollution, including minor urban incivilities.
3. Formal notice to companies: Project holders with non-compliant projects will be approached "very soon" for forced regularization under penalty of sanctions.

Citizen protection and economic attractiveness

While protecting foreign direct investment (FDI)—the rate of which in Côte d'Ivoire is among the highest in the world—the government reaffirms its priority: the health of the population. The minister promised that the state would consistently stand with citizens affected by pollution to assert their rights against polluters.