Côte d’Ivoire : When will the import ban on alcoholic energy drinks be lifted ?
On Monday, October 2, 2023, through a circular note, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage suspended, as a precautionary measure, the importation of alcoholic energy drinks until December 31, 2023. On Monday, October 23, the Ministry of Budget and the Ivorian Customs Directorate called on all importers and exporters to strictly adhere to this ban on alcoholic energy drinks, with any violation subject to penalties.
The reasons behind this decision, which some may find unpopular, include the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages by young people, often in conjunction with tramadol tablets. While the improper consumption of alcoholic energy drinks combined with tramadol is condemnable, maintaining the suspension beyond the specified period poses further challenges.
Many economic operators have seen their activities paralyzed by this import suspension, not to mention those with existing stocks unable to sell them.
Avoiding problems, like navigating a roundabout, may have short-term effects but rarely leads to long-term solutions. Ivorian authorities should consider a long-term solution, and it seems that the prolonged suspension of alcoholic energy drink imports is not part of it.
Regardless of the situation, the importation of energy drinks also contributes revenue to the state in terms of customs fees and taxes paid by economic operators, and this suspension, in one way or another, constitutes a loss for the state.
Unless this suspension is merely a strategy by a well-placed network within the Ivorian administration attempting to shift resources from one area to another. Hopefully, that is not the case.
