14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé: Ivorian E-Commerce Projected at $5.5 Billion by 2025, Says Minister Kalil Konaté

The significant growth potential of Côte d’Ivoire’s national e-commerce sector is estimated at $5.5 billion by 2025, revealed the Ivorian Minister of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts, Ibrahim Kalil Konaté.

He made the statement on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Yaoundé, Cameroon, during a roundtable at the official opening of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) focused on e-commerce.

Minister Kalil Konaté highlighted key achievements in Côte d’Ivoire, including improvements in the regulatory and institutional framework for consumer protection, full implementation of electronic signature regulations, and the adoption of a balanced framework securing the rights and obligations of intermediary platforms.

He also noted that the Ivorian government has undertaken major initiatives over several years, such as establishing a dedicated governance body for the e-commerce sector and adopting a national e-commerce strategy.

During this WTO and World Bank-organized session, the minister emphasized the numerous advantages of e-commerce, which today represents trillions of dollars in annual trade globally.

“E-commerce is redefining value chains, consumption habits, and market access,” he stated.

Although Africa still struggles to fully leverage this considerable potential, recognized by all as a key driver of growth, the minister welcomed Côte d’Ivoire’s strong commitment to making digital technology a catalyst for the continent’s development.