This year, we had the privilege of welcoming Ecookim and Socak Katana, esteemed leaders in the cocoa sector in Côte d'Ivoire. Let's revisit the outstanding initiatives of these partners, which serve as models of social, economic, and environmental development in their country, supported, among others, by Alterfin.
This year, we had the privilege of welcoming Ecookim and Socak Katana, esteemed leaders in the cocoa sector in Côte d'Ivoire. Let's revisit the outstanding initiatives of these partners, which serve as models of social, economic, and environmental development in their country, supported, among others, by Alterfin.
40% of the world's cocoa production comes from small family farms in Côte d'Ivoire, managed by farmers living in extreme poverty.
While large chocolate companies are making colossal profits, some earning over $10 billion annually1, small cocoa producers receive only a third of the amount necessary to cover their essential needs, such as food, housing, education, and healthcare2.
In the early 2000s, small cocoa producers in Côte d'Ivoire faced significant challenges due to their limited bargaining power with large international buyers.
In response, Bamba Mamadou Adama took initiative by establishing Ecookim in 2004—a parent cooperative aimed at forming a network of cooperatives.
His objective was to consolidate cocoa producers, enabling them to leverage collective strength and negotiate fairer prices for their products.
Several years later, Socak Katana was founded in 2015, further enhancing the landscape for cocoa producers. These cooperatives have since provided numerous advantages to their members, including equitable pricing, improved access to financing and services, and increased involvement in decision-making processes.
Over the years, Ecookim and Socak Katana have implemented several initiatives that have had a positive impact on the livelihoods of their cocoa producers and on their environment.
The cooperatives have particularly focused on obtaining certifications such as Rainforest Alliance and FairTrade, which guarantee minimum prices to producers, and Organic certification, which entitles them to higher crop prices.
Beyond income impact, some certifications also provide premiums, which for Ecookim can amount to between 3 and 5 million euros annually.
Aminata Bamba, Sustainability Manager at Ecookim, explains: "The premiums are reinvested at the community and producer level to implement large-scale and effective projects. This approach aims to support producers in meeting their household needs while continuing to invest in cocoa production."
Thanks to these premiums, they fund initiatives such as providing clean water systems to prevent diseases, improve community life quality, and create income-generating activities for women.
Why focus on women in particular?
"Sorry for the gentlemen, but we have found that when women have income, they take better care of their homes and children," adds Aminata Bamba. Ecookim, therefore, provides specific loans for women to develop new sources of income, directly benefiting their households.
Another key example of premium use is funding the construction of schools in cocoa-producing communities, thereby improving enrollment rates. Additionally, Ecookim and Socak Katana have built school canteens to reduce child labor by encouraging students to stay in school.
Certifications also encourage sustainable agricultural practices among producers, helping preserve biodiversity, combat soil erosion, and increase CO2 capture and storage capacity.
In this regard, Ecookim and Socak Katana train their members to raise awareness about climate change and improve agricultural practices, even on small plots.
Moreover, to comply with product traceability standards linked to certifications, the cooperatives have mapped their cocoa farms using Agrice. This ensures that their supply chain uses only cocoa from deforestation-free areas.
In summary, Ecookim and Socak Katana's initiatives go beyond increasing producers' incomes. They positively impact families, local communities, and the environment!
"Without financing, it's impossible to buy cocoa and export it afterward," explains Zié Ouattara, Finance Manager at Ecookim.
Because obtaining such financing can be challenging for small producer cooperatives like Ecookim, Alterfin's support has been essential for their export activities. It has covered production, transportation, and marketing costs necessary for these operations.
Alterfin has also acted as a catalyst, strengthening other funders' confidence and thereby fostering these cooperatives' growth and development.
"Alterfin's support has allowed us to develop a larger market. In addition to that, working with them has brought us many other advantages, such as advice and regular follow-ups," concludes Zié.
In short, our financial support has enabled Ecookim and Socak Katana to expand their impact among their members and grow significantly over the years.
As shown in the graphs below, since our initial loans, our two partners have experienced remarkable growth, whether in the number of producers they have enrolled in their cooperatives, the quantities of cocoa they have produced fairly, or naturally, the growth of loans we and other actors have provided for their development.
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