Côte d’Ivoire : Unfair Competition falling short of establishing real domination
In Ivory Coast, during the year-end holiday season, the banned energy drinks are still attracting attention. At the heart of a controversy fueled by authorities, the defamation campaign, far from producing the expected results, has rather flourishing effects for the incriminated drinks.
The plot against energy drinks for the purpose of unfair competition has shown its limits. The energy drinks at the center of the controversy fueled by the authorities continue to be sold, with the help of smuggling as well.
The reality is that these drinks, prohibited by the authorities, are actually victims of their own success due to their impeccable quality and delicious flavors. With their slightly sweet taste, consumers are more won over compared to energy drinks from French brewers.
In contrast, the authorized energy drinks, which are alcoholic and spiked with Tramadol, are not very popular. This is indeed the origin of the ban imposed by the authorities who are determined to reverse the trend. How can one seek to cheat with Tramadol to sell better ?
To limit or even eliminate the so-called « harmful effects on the health of consumers » that the Ivorian authorities have tried to illustrate in vain, the import and sale of Tramadol must be prohibited in the country.
But corruption being prevalent at the top of the state, it is the successful energy drinks that have ended up in the crosshairs of French brewers, and the deal between this entity and the government has done the rest.
The defamation campaign, running from October 2, 2023, to February 29, 2024, seems to be a futile effort. The Ivorian authorities’ measure aimed at favoring French breweries with the most unfair commercial competition in history tends to lose steam prematurely.
According to the Ivorian authorities’ statement, the suspension of importation aims to protect the health of the population. In the public opinion, it is just another excuse to confirm a sordid commercial imperialism.
The real scourge that insidiously threatens Ivorian youth is Tramadol. This defamation campaign must be suspended before the « expiration » date of February 29, 2024, before the aggravation of an already challenging national consumption.
