Côte d'Ivoire: Ministry of Transport launches reform of the VTC and parcel delivery sector

The Direction Générale des Transports Terrestres et de la Circulation (DGTTC) announced, on Thursday, August 13, 2026 in Abidjan-Plateau, a series of reforms designed to clean up the Véhicules de Transport avec Chauffeur (VTC) and parcel delivery sector, during a consultation with industry stakeholders, according to statements reported by Africa Newsroom (APO). Oumar Sacko, Director General of the DGTTC, described the current situation as "major disarray," linked to the rapid growth of the activity and the lack of reliable statistics. Amadou Koné, an associate of the Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs, announced the establishment of a pilot authorization allowing VTC companies to regularize their situation before an operational phase. A price comparison tool will be launched, along with price caps. The practice of the profession remains subject to two approvals: that of ARTCI for personal data, and that of the Ministry of Transport. La Poste de Côte d'Ivoire, exclusively in charge of parcels from 0 to 32 kg, has launched the identification of professional delivery drivers on its platform. These measures aim to legally secure VTC operators while protecting users against excessive fares and risks related to personal data. Siaka Fofana, co-founder of Waren Taxi, welcomed this regulatory framework and called on his peers to "work properly, in a healthy and competitive environment." This formalization comes as the Ivorian digital economy, driven by growing mobile penetration, sees a multiplication of mobility and delivery platforms previously without a unified framework, a phenomenon observed in several West African capitals facing the same regulatory deficit in the face of the rise of on-demand services.