The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a €100 million agricultural commodity financing facility for Sucres et Denrées Côte d’Ivoire, reinforcing the country’s position as the world’s leading cocoa producer while advancing sustainable agricultural practices. The package includes €25 million from the Africa Growing Together Fund, a co-financing initiative with the China Development Bank, and $10 million from the Agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprise Catalytic Financing Fund.
The renewable two-year facility will expand pre-financing arrangements with cooperatives and local suppliers, addressing critical financing gaps in a sector that is vital to Côte d’Ivoire’s economy. The country produces more than 40% of the world’s cocoa, with output reaching 2.3 million metric tons in the 2022–2023 season. Although weather-related challenges have affected yields, Côte d’Ivoire continues to play a central role in global chocolate production and commodity markets.
This new financing will strengthen cocoa sourcing and export capacity while encouraging sustainable practices. It aims to improve supply chain traceability, enhance climate resilience, and generate employment opportunities in rural areas, with a strong emphasis on youth and women. The initiative also aligns with Côte d’Ivoire’s National Development Plan 2021–2025, which prioritizes agro-industrial diversification as a driver of growth, with the country targeting a GDP growth rate of 6.5% in 2025.
The facility is designed to provide sustainable financing for cooperatives, improve liquidity across the cocoa ecosystem, and mitigate risks linked to market volatility and climate change. By increasing private sector engagement, the project is expected to raise export volumes by up to 10% annually and benefit more than 50,000 smallholder farmers through improved access to financing and technical support.
Beyond cocoa, the loan also addresses liquidity constraints in West African markets, showcasing the sector’s appeal to international investors and encouraging broader investment in regional agricultural value chains.
