Do you need a licence for two-way radios in Côte d'Ivoire?

The short answer

For most professional two-way radio in Côte d'Ivoire, yes. Running a private radio network (PMR or walkie-talkie) requires an authorisation and a frequency assignment from the Telecommunications/ICT Regulatory Authority of Côte d'Ivoire (ARTCI) before you put it into service¹. Two further points are worth knowing up front: the radio equipment must be approved by the ARTCI before use, and push-to-talk over cellular (PoC) needs no spectrum licence of its own, because it runs on a mobile operator's already-licensed network.

Who regulates radio in Côte d'Ivoire

Radio spectrum in Côte d'Ivoire is managed by the Telecommunications/ICT Regulatory Authority of Côte d'Ivoire (ARTCI). The legal framework is Law No. 2024-352 of 6 June 2024 on electronic communications, which modernised the earlier regime². The ARTCI assigns frequencies, issues authorisations, and approves equipment. Business two-way radio falls under the general authorisation regime for PMR or walkie-talkie networks, which covers conventional systems, repeaters, base stations, and mobile and portable units operating on assigned frequencies¹.

What needs a licence, and what does not

Needs an authorisation

• A private radio network (PMR) on assigned VHF/UHF frequencies, such as DMR and analogue systems
• Systems with your own repeaters or base stations
• Most commercial, industrial and organisational deployments

Does not need a frequency assignment

• PoC (push-to-talk over the cellular network), which uses the mobile operator's own licence
• Reception-only equipment

How to apply

The ARTCI provides an application form for a general authorisation for PMR or walkie-talkie networks, and the process runs, broadly, as follows¹:

1. Make sure the radios you intend to use are, or will be, approved by the ARTCI. A reputable reseller supplies approved models as standard.
2. Complete and submit the general authorisation application form (PMR or walkie-talkie networks) to the ARTCI, with the required documents: applicant identification, a technical description of the network (frequency bands, channel bandwidth, power, base stations and repeaters), and company documents.
3. The ARTCI reviews the application, assigns your frequencies, and issues the authorisation against payment of the applicable fees.
4. Operate within the authorised parameters, and apply to renew before the authorisation expires.

In practice, a good reseller will guide or handle most of this for you as part of the project, since they operate on these frequencies routinely.

Cost and validity

Two sets of charges usually apply: the frequency assignment and management fees payable to the ARTCI, and the cost of equipment approval. The amounts are set by ARTCI regulations and depend on the network and the spectrum assigned¹. We are not quoting a single total here, because it depends on your system and these charges change over time. Confirm the current figures and the authorisation's validity period with the ARTCI, or ask your reseller, who will usually know the cost for a fleet of your size. Plan the renewal ahead of the expiry date.

Equipment approval

Separately from the frequency authorisation, radio equipment must be approved by the ARTCI before it is used in Côte d'Ivoire. In practice this means buying models that are already approved, which a reputable local reseller will supply. It is worth checking approval status before importing radios yourself, as non-approved equipment can be held at customs.

Operating without an authorisation

Operating a private radio network without the required authorisation exposes you to penalties under the electronic communications law, ranging from withdrawal of the authorisation to fines². Beyond the legal risk, unauthorised transmissions can interfere with other users and be traced, so obtaining the authorisation is simply part of deploying a system that works reliably and lawfully.

How RadioSelect helps

The free needs analysis flags whether your likely solution needs a licence in Côte d'Ivoire, and connects you to a vetted local reseller who handles the ARTCI process routinely, so you are not navigating it alone.

Common questions

Do I need a licence for PoC / push-to-talk over cellular in Côte d'Ivoire?

Generally no. PoC runs over a mobile operator's already-licensed network, so there is no separate frequency assignment for you to obtain. You still buy or subscribe to the service, but the spectrum side is covered by the operator.

Which regulator issues two-way radio licences in Côte d'Ivoire?

The Telecommunications/ICT Regulatory Authority of Côte d'Ivoire (ARTCI). It assigns frequencies and issues the authorisation a PMR network needs.

How much does a radio licence cost in Côte d'Ivoire?

Fees are set by ARTCI regulations and depend on the network and spectrum assigned, so there is no single figure. Confirm the current cost with the ARTCI, or ask your reseller, who will usually know the cost for a fleet of your size.

Can my reseller arrange the authorisation for me?

In most cases yes. Resellers operate on these frequencies routinely and will typically guide or handle the ARTCI application as part of the project.