Cocoa and Coffee Producers Elect Delegates as Côte d’Ivoire Moves Forward with Industry Restructuring

As part of ongoing efforts to establish an interprofessional organization for the cocoa and coffee sectors in Côte d’Ivoire, individual producers convened for an elective General Assembly on Monday, May 5, 2025, at the Canaan Hill Hotel in Yamoussoukro. This gathering represents a significant milestone in reinforcing grassroots engagement in the formal structuring of the industry.

A Step Forward Following Key Recommendations

The assembly follows recommendations from a workshop held in Yamoussoukro from March 10 to 15, where stakeholders were urged to form representative bodies and elect their delegates. With this latest meeting, producers have fulfilled that mandate.

Eighty-four individual cocoa and coffee producers, all former laureates of the National Cocoa and Chocolate Day (JNCC), participated in the assembly. Representing the country’s thirteen primary production zones, these producers elected eight delegates, including two who will serve as board members within the forthcoming interprofessional body.

Transparent Elections in a Constructive Atmosphere

The election process was overseen by the Technical Committee of the Interprofessional Organization for Coffee and Cocoa (OIA Café-Cacao). Conducted in a calm and inclusive environment, the vote concluded with the election of Mrs. Nangalo Ahoua Yvette as a delegate-administrator. Overwhelmed with emotion, she expressed appreciation for the confidence shown by her peers:
“I thank my colleagues for choosing me. I will work tirelessly to ensure cocoa producers receive fair and sustainable prices,” she said.

The event was attended by local authorities, including the First Secretary General of the Yamoussoukro Autonomous District, representing the Regional Prefect. In her closing remarks, she praised the producers’ dedication and responsible participation.
“I was pleased to witness such determination in advocating for producers’ interests. It reflects the importance you place on the proper structuring of your sector,” she noted, extending her congratulations to the newly elected delegates.

Toward More Inclusive and Representative Governance

The establishment of this interprofessional organization is intended to ensure more inclusive and representative governance across the cocoa-coffee value chain. Historically underrepresented in decision-making processes, individual producers will now have a structured and influential voice. Their active participation is aimed at safeguarding key interests, particularly in price-setting, access to agricultural inputs, and improvements to living and working conditions.

The official launch of the interprofessional body is scheduled for June 30, 2025. This move is expected to mark a significant advance in the professionalization and coordination of a sector that remains vital to Côte d’Ivoire’s economy.