Togo’s Fair Trade Cocoa Cooperatives eligible for new EU-backed agroecology financing program
Fair trade-certified cocoa cooperatives in Togo can now apply for grants under a new initiative promoting sustainable and deforestation-free farming.
TOGO – Fair trade-certified cocoa cooperatives in Togo are set to benefit from a new financing mechanism launched 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 accelerate agroecological transition and combat deforestation in fair trade value chains across West Africa, including Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Under the program, cooperatives have until November 12, 2025, to submit project proposals. Selected initiatives will receive grants of up to €60,000, with implementation periods ranging from 24 to 36 months.
Eligible projects include activities such as “zero-deforestation” traceability, crop diversification, adoption of eco-friendly processing technologies, and the inclusion of women and youth in production systems.
According to the call for proposals, at least six cocoa cooperatives and eight cooperatives from other sectors, such as cashew, shea, fruit, and crafts, will be chosen. The objective is to enhance both the economic and environmental resilience of producer organizations while developing replicable regional models.
For Togo, the financing mechanism arrives at a critical time for its small but growing cocoa industry. After several years of decline, cocoa exports rose by 50% in the 2024–2025 season, reaching 4,400 tons compared with 2,618 tons the previous year.
Officials attribute the recovery to the Coffee-Cocoa Development Plans (PDCC) launched in 2024, which prioritize sustainable farming, improved product quality, and stronger domestic processing capacity.
Togo’s national cocoa strategy now emphasizes organic and fair trade certification, local value addition, and diversification of export markets to improve competitiveness and farmer incomes.
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