Founded in 1964, Société nouvelle de presse et d’édition de Côte d’Ivoire (SNPECI) is the Ivorian state’s flagship publishing house, best known for its daily tabloid Fraternité Matin. For decades, it has been a backbone of the national press under full government ownership.
Media assets
Publishing: Fraternite Matin
State Media Matrix Typology
Independent State-Funded and State-Managed (ISFM)
Ownership and governance
SNPECI remains 100% state–owned, with all management appointments—including its Board Chair—handed down by government decree. As of early 2025, Viviane Zunon Kipré, a sitting senator, has been reaffirmed at the helm of the Board of Directors—underscoring the strong political influence shaping its strategic direction.
Source of funding and budget
The print media landscape in Côte d’Ivoire has taken a hit over the past decade, with total industry revenues plunging from XOF 6 billion to XOF 2 billion between 2011 and 2021. SNPECI generated a turnover of approximately XOF 4.8 billion (US$ 8.5 million) in 2017, according to the most recent available data. Fraternité Matin, on its own, pulled in about XOF 116 million (US$ 210,000) in 2018—a drop of XOF 34 millionfrom two years prior. Government support remains the mainstay: SNPECI continues to operate at a loss, reliant on state bailouts to cover operational shortfalls.
SNPECI hasn’t published audited financial statements beyond the 2021 data (turnover: XOF 580 million; capital: XOF 820 million).
On 9 December 2024, Managing Director Serge Abdel Nouho unveiled an ambitious restructuring plan at the 60th-anniversary gala, aiming to transition from a print-centric publisher into a hybrid multimedia group. Initiatives include the launch of Fratmat Television, Fratmat Radio, and Fratmat Podcasts—a bold step toward meeting shifting consumer habits and countering declining print revenues.
Editorial independence
While no formal directives demand pro-government coverage, Fraternité Matin is widely viewed as maintaining a pro-state editorial posture. Journalists report occasional pressure from officials, though independent content occasionally prevails—according to internal analyses.
No independent oversight body exists to systematically review SNPECI’s compliance with the principles of editorial balance or pluralism.
However, industry recognition and internal messaging suggest credible journalism, hence the publisher’s inclusion in one of our Independent Media categories.
June 2025