03 — Brand representation

Be present without being there

A brand with no one on the ground ends up depending on whoever sells it. A representation mandate gives you that presence back: a local contact who carries your name, follows your distributors, defends your positioning and reports to you every month.

Duration : 12-month renewable mandate Scope : What the mandate covers
Ivorian sales manager visiting a distributor, reporting tablet in hand.

Who it is for

  • A brand already selling in Côte d’Ivoire with no permanent local presence.
  • A manufacturer whose distributors report nothing back.
  • A company that wants to test a lasting presence before opening a subsidiary.

Deliverables

  • A mandate contract: purpose, territory, duties, term, conditions
  • A written quarterly action plan
  • A monthly report delivered on the 5th of each month
  • Distributor and customer records kept up to date
  • Competitive and regulatory watch notes

Scope

What the mandate covers

A permanent contact

An address, a telephone number and a name in Abidjan for your customers, distributors and institutions.

Representation kit

Documentation, price lists and samples kept up to date, and a brand presentation adapted to the local market.

Quarterly action plan

Objectives, targets, actions and schedule in writing, reviewed with you every quarter.

Prospecting and follow-up

Finding new customers, following up, visiting, and handling inbound enquiries.

Distributor management

Running the network, checking terms and street prices, settling disputes.

Market watch

Competition, prices, new entrants, regulatory and customs developments.

Brand protection

Reporting counterfeits and misuse of the name, and support for OAPI registration in your own name.

Monthly reporting

A written report on the 5th of each month: actions taken, contacts, sales reported, alerts, next month’s plan.

Principles

Two rules we do not bend

One brand per category and per territory

We never represent two competing brands on the same territory. Any potential conflict of interest is declared before signature.

No hidden commission

Any payment received from a partner or supplier in connection with your file is declared to you.

Typical situation

An Asian manufacturer of technical equipment already sells in Côte d’Ivoire through two resellers, with no visibility on street prices or after-sales service. The mandate installs a local contact: commercial terms are reset, a third distributor is recruited for the interior of the country, technician training is organised, and a monthly report finally brings back what is happening on the ground.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

How long does a mandate run?
Twelve months, renewable, with two months’ notice. A review clause allows the scope to be adjusted along the way.
Can you sign contracts in our name?
No, unless you give an express written mandate for a specific transaction. By default we prepare and negotiate; you sign.
How are you paid?
A monthly fee, supplemented where agreed by a commission on sales made in the territory. A fee always covers the work performed: we never work on commission alone.
Can the territory extend beyond Côte d’Ivoire?
Yes. Ghana, Nigeria and the WAEMU area can be added to the mandate, with objectives and resources adjusted for each country.

Next step

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