Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire has taken great initial strides to recover from the post-electoral crisis that shook the nation in 2011, yet significant challenges remain. Key among them are revitalizing the agricultural sector and addressing youth unemployment.
Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s largest producer and exporter of cocoa, and a significant producer and exporter of cashews, coffee, rubber and palm oil. Seventy percent of Ivoirians depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, but yields remain low and incomes are highly vulnerable to fluctuations in international commodity prices. Meanwhile, 25 percent of the nation’s under-40 youth is unemployed, threatening peace and stability in the resurgent state. The government has set an ambitious goal of creating one million jobs by 2016. TechnoServe is working in partnership with the public and private sector to sustainably increase the incomes of small-scale cashew and cocoa farmers.
Cocody Angré 7e Tranche
Ilot : 231 Lot : 2768
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Tel: +225 22 42 49 83
+225 55 51 02 29
Fax: +225 22 41 38 15
See the impact
Youth Entrepreneurs Build Profitable Enterprises for a Better Future
Entrepreneurship presents a path toward economic independence for young men and women in Africa, particularly when formal employment opportunities are scarce, and the poverty rate among working youth is at nearly 70 percent. The Pan-African Youth Entrepreneur Development (PAYED) program will provide training and tailored advisory support to 600 young entrepreneurs in Kenya, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire to develop opportunities in the micro-retail sector.
Projects
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Project Awale
Project Awale is a two-year initiative funded by Cargill to increase and diversify the income of cocoa farming households in center-western Côte d’Ivoire by facilitating younger generations and women to develop strategic, financial, and business management skills needed to successfully build a safety net that is not solely reliant on a single income stream from…
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Prosper Cashew: Strengthening Cashew Processing in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria
Prosper Cashew: Strengthening Cashew Processing in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria Prosper Cashew – Context: The global cashew market is a $12 billion industry and has grown almost seven times over the last four decades in terms of volume. West Africa is the world’s leader in cashew production, accounting for more than 45% of the…
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Pan-African Youth Entrepreneur Development (PAYED)
The Pan-African Youth Entrepreneur Development (PAYED) program will provide training and tailored advisory support 600 young entrepreneurs in Kenya, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire to develop opportunities in the micro-retail sector.
Blog Posts
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How Savings Groups Sparked New Opportunities for Rural Women and Youth
Learn how Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) are helping cocoa farmers invest in their farms, start small enterprises, and manage unexpected costs.
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A Day in the Life of Gathering Stories with Cocoa-Growing Families in Côte d’Ivoire
A behind-the-scenes look at how TechnoServe’s communications team documents transformation in the field—meeting the women and youth building stronger, more resilient livelihoods through the Awalé project.
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Boosting Economic Development in West Africa
TechnoServe President and CEO Will Warshauer recently traveled to Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. Read insights from his trip and learn how TechnoServe is working to boost small business development and food systems in West Africa.
Resources
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Survey Results: Impact of COVID-19 on Micro-Retail Businesses
Learn More: Survey Results: Impact of COVID-19 on Micro-Retail Businesses