Côte d’Ivoire is seeking to join the governance structure of international francophone broadcaster TV5MONDE from 2027, a move that could strengthen opportunities for African content production and international distribution.
TV5MONDE confirmed on 22 September that Communication Minister Amadou Coulibaly submitted the request in mid-September to Switzerland, which currently chairs the group of governments funding the channel. The group includes France, Switzerland, Wallonia-Brussels, Canada, Monaco and Québec.
As part of its application, Côte d’Ivoire has committed to TV5MONDE’s editorial and ethics charter. The country’s public broadcaster, RTI, would also become a partner in co-production and programme distribution.
While the move has been described as a first for sub-Saharan Africa, Morocco’s entry into TV5MONDE’s governance was approved earlier this year. Côte d’Ivoire would therefore become the second African country represented within the broadcaster’s governance structure.
For African producers, the development could be significant, particularly through RTI’s potential role in developing co-productions and distributing locally produced content through TV5MONDE’s international network. It also highlights the growing importance of strategic partnerships between African public broadcasters and international distribution platforms in expanding the reach of African content.
