(3 Minutes Read)
Sustainability also remains a concern, with child labour and gender inequality still widespread in cocoa-producing communities. Owoyemi highlighted how SGC is tackling this through women’s empowerment programs, education support, and transparent sourcing. Cocoa production in West Africa is typically carried out by smallholder farmers who rely on the crop for their livelihoods.
West Africa produces nearly 70% of the world’s cocoa, yet smallholder farmers in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire continue to face chronic underpayment, volatile markets, and limited access to financing.
Olasunkanmi Owoyemi,Managing Director at SGC–SunBeth Global Concepts, who offered a candid look at the sector’s pain points, said that the biggest challenge remains access to affordable credit, said, Owoyemi, adding that without financing, farmers can’t invest in better tools, practices, or even proper storage, which impacts quality and income.
Sustainability also remains a concern, with child labour and gender inequality still widespread in cocoa-producing communities. Owoyemi highlighted how SGC is tackling this through women’s empowerment programs, education support, and transparent sourcing. Cocoa production in West Africa is typically carried out by smallholder farmers who rely on the crop for their livelihoods.
The expansion of cocoa farming has contributed to deforestation in the region.Cocoa is a major export for many West African nations and a crucial source of income for millions of people.
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Cocoa production faces challenges such as climate change, diseases, and the need for sustainable farming practices to ensure long-term viability. Nigeria is a significant cocoa producer, aiming to increase its production and compete with its West African neighbors.
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