ACA Receives New Africa Trade Fund Grant for Processor Assistance in 8 Countries

The African Cashew Alliance (ACA) has received a new grant from the African Development Bank’s Africa Trade Fund (AfTra) to implement an extensive technical assistance program for cashew processors in 8 countries in East and West Africa.

The grant supports ACA activities aimed at creating more than 2,000 new jobs (at least 70% of which will be for women) and generating USD 8 million in additional income for rural communities, by increasing efficiency, quality and quantity of African cashew processing. The project will further aim at developing best practices of environmentally sustainable processing, and promote the equitable and beneficial usage of a workforce which is predominantly female. The project will be implemented over 3 years in the countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania.

Cashew supports the livelihoods of about 10 million people in rural Africa. Almost half of the world’s cashew is grown in Africa, but only around 10% of Africa’s cashew harvest is processed in the continent. The young African cashew industry is constantly improving its expertise, and is increasingly discovering innovative ways to overcome challenges in providing buyers with nuts which meet international quality standards.

ACA Managing Director Roger Brou observes, “Cashew processing in Africa has grown significantly over the past decade, and the industry as a whole is steadily getting closer to achieving its full potential.  We are delighted that the African Development Bank has recognised the importance of this industry, and its potential to provide secure and sustainable employment for millions of people.”

The ACA, as Africa’s leading provider of technical assistance to cashew processors and new investors, will help project participants to sustainably build their internal technical capacity, improve operational efficiencies, and implement food safety, quality, and labor standards. Further components of the project will help participants implement environmental standards, and, in collaboration with national and international NGOs experienced in gender-related topics, will promote the incorporation of a gender-based perspective to empower women in the workplace.

The Africa Trade Fund is hosted by the African Development Bank’s Regional Integration & Trade Division. IT was set up in March 2012 with the aim of facilitating trade openings in low-income African economies.