From the Field Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: Italy supports sustainable cacao value chains in West Africa

by Gianpiero Menza, Athena Padilla, Martha Vanegas

onMay 20, 2025

In February 2025, a delegation from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT conducted a mission in Côte d'Ivoire to kick-off the Sustainable Cocoa Value Chain Programme in West Africa.

Funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), under the framework of the Piano Mattei per l'Africa, this initiative aims to support local governments in designing ambitious investment proposals to secure financial resources for key challenges in cacao production. These include improving farmers' incomes, expanding agroforestry, and strengthening the cacao value chain, all while promoting sustainable development, economic growth and social inclusion.

Côte d'Ivoire's cacao production is a cornerstone of its economy, providing livelihoods for millions of farmers. However, its expansion has historically contributed to deforestation and land degradation. Tackling these challenges is essential for ensuring long-term sustainability. During this initial mission, the delegation engaged with local authorities to align the initiative with national priorities and strategies for cacao production.

Abidjan – Côte d'Ivoire Italy supports sustainable cocoa value chains in West Africa - Image 1

Discussions focused on defining key priorities, including sustainable production systems, in-country cacao processing, forest preservation and rehabilitation, agroforestry expansion, social inclusion, income diversification for smallholder farmers and climate risk management. The team also worked to identify focal points within key institutions to facilitate collaboration and ensure effective coordination. Additionally, there was strong emphasis on supporting the implementation of the African Regional Standard on Cacao (ARS-100) to enhance sustainability.

Abidjan – Côte d'Ivoire Italy supports sustainable cocoa value chains in West Africa - Image 2

Recognizing the need for transformation, Côte d'Ivoire is actively pursuing a more sustainable and economically viable cocoa industry through strategic initiatives and partnerships. This program reinforces collaboration between Côte d'Ivoire and Italy, opening new opportunities for investment and cooperation that balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.