Fair trade-certified cocoa cooperatives in Togo can now benefit from a new green financing mechanism introduced under the Équité 3 program, jointly funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM). The initiative, coordinated by Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (AVSF), aims to support agroecological transition and combat deforestation across fair trade sectors in West Africa, including Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Cooperatives have until November 12, 2025, to submit their project proposals. Selected initiatives will receive grants of up to €60,000, with implementation periods ranging from 24 to 36 months. The program will fund projects promoting zero-deforestation traceability, crop diversification, adoption of sustainable processing technologies, and increased participation of women and youth in agricultural production.
At least six cocoa cooperatives and eight cooperatives from other sectors such as cashew, shea, fruit, and crafts will be chosen. The broader goal is to strengthen the economic and environmental resilience of farmers’ organizations while promoting replicable and sustainable regional models.
For Togo, this funding mechanism presents a significant opportunity to enhance the competitiveness of its cocoa industry, which remains small but is showing strong recovery. The sector recorded a 50% rise in exports during the 2024–2025 season, reaching 4,400 tons compared to 2,618 tons the previous year. The country’s national cocoa strategy focuses on improving quality through organic and fair trade production, boosting local value addition, and diversifying export markets to ensure sustainable growth.
