Press and News Paving the Way for Sustainable Cocoa Value Chains in West Africa
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) is supporting the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT to address key challenges in cocoa production in Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea.
Key challenges in cocoa production
In West Africa, the cocoa sector is vital for smallholder farmers, often serving as their primary source of income and bolstering local economies. Despite its importance, cocoa production faces significant challenges, including deforestation, biodiversity loss, pests, diseases and soil depletion which threaten its financial viability and sustainability. Cacao production is a major driver of deforestation, accounting for over 37% of forest loss in Côte d'Ivoire, affecting protected forest areas and leading to disputes over land use. Climate change further compounds these challenges, as changing weather patterns and unpredictable rainfall make it harder for farmers to maintain stable yields.
Economic inequalities in the cocoa value chain also weigh heavily on farmers. Due to low international cocoa prices and the unequal structure of the global value chain, on average smallholder farmers receive only 6% of the final value of a bar of chocolate. Additional obstacles such as aging plantations, limited access to capital and poor rural infrastructure further worsen their circumstances. On the social front, issues such as child labor, gender disparity and limited access to education remain persistent in some parts of the cocoa supply chain, driven by the economic pressures on smallholder families to meet production targets with limited resources. These social challenges hinder the sector’s ability to contribute meaningfully to long-term rural development and poverty reduction.
A Collaborative Solution for Sustainable Growth
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), in line with Italian cooperation priorities under the 'Piano Mattei per l’Africa', is supporting a large-scale initiative led by the Alliance. This project aims to address challenges in cocoa production in West Africa by enhancing market access, increasing farmer incomes, and reducing deforestation through sustainable practices and nature-positive agriculture, while addressing child labor issues.
The first phase of this initiative will focus on creating the conditions necessary to attract significant financial investments for targeted interventions. These interventions will promote sustainable development and economic growth in Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea while ensuring a steady supply of cocoa for Italy, which relies on West Africa for over 70% of its cacao bean imports.
The Alliance will work collaboratively with a wide network of national and international partners including Save the Children and CIHEAM Bari, along with other international organizations, NGOs and private-sector partners. The project will prioritize scaling successful initiatives, with specific goals and targets co-designed with on-the-ground partners, in alignment with national and regional priorities outlined by the African Union Agenda 2063 and the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO).
**
If your organization is interested in learning more about this initiative, please contact [email protected], Senior Manager for Partnerships & Innovative Finance, and [email protected], Partnerships and Communications Officer.