Producing more than 40% of the world’s cocoa and reaching 2.3 million metric tons in the 2022-2023 season, Côte d’Ivoire is not only the backbone of global chocolate supply but also an agricultural giant determined to secure its future against climate change and market volatility.
As part of this effort, the country has launched a €100 million agricultural financing facility through Sucres et Denrées Côte d’Ivoire, backed by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The package includes €25 million from the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF) – a joint initiative of the AfDB and the China Development Bank – along with $10 million from the Agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprise Catalytic Financing Fund (ACFM).
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The renewable two-year loan will expand pre-financing agreements with cooperatives and local suppliers, closing critical liquidity gaps in Côte d’Ivoire’s most strategic economic sector. The program aims not only to reinforce cocoa sourcing and export capacity but also to improve supply chain traceability, strengthen climate resilience, and create inclusive employment opportunities in rural communities, with a focus on youth and women.
Aligned with Côte d’Ivoire’s National Development Plan 2021-2025, which promotes agro-industrial diversification and targets GDP growth of 6.5% by 2025, the initiative is projected to boost cocoa export volumes by up to 10% annually and directly benefit more than 50,000 farmers through increased financing and technical assistance.
Beyond cocoa, the facility also addresses liquidity constraints in West African markets, sending a strong signal to international investors and paving the way for broader agricultural value chain development across the region.
