Côte d’Ivoire: End of AFCON 2023, will suspended energy and alcoholic drinks be back on the market?

Ivorian, especially the residents of Abidjan who are ardent and loyal consumers of energy drinks with or without alcohol, are left with one burning question. Is it possible for alcoholic energy drinks, suspended for over five (05) months, to make a comeback into the consumer market?

Recall that in October 2023, the Ivorian government suspended the importation and distribution of alcoholic energy drinks across the country. According to the official statement, this decision covered the period from October 3 to December 31, 2023.

Subsequently, on some media outlets, it was later learned that the suspension extended until February 29, 2024.

According to the Ivorian government, the objective was to safeguard public health, as some consumers of these drinks mixed them with the drug ‘Kadafi,’ which is still available in the market.

Critics pointed fingers at unfair competition, noting that these drinks had become popular, highly sought after, and their promoters were on the verge of dominating the sponsorship market for the African football competition, AFCON 2023, which took place from January 13 to February 11, 2024.

It was deemed necessary, during the competition period, to take measures to sideline certain brands of drinks in favor of others.

Otherwise, the public finds it challenging to comprehend why these beverages can be freely marketed elsewhere, even in neighboring countries without adverse effects on human health, while a different scenario unfolds in Côte d’Ivoire.

Chérif TOURE