Madame Taraf Honored as one of Africa's Most Influential Women in Business and Government

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On the 5th of September, 2013, Madame Georgette Taraf, the ACA President, was honored as one of Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government in Accra, Ghana.  The award ceremony is held each year by Celebrating Excellence in Organizations (CEO), a South African organization.  Through a lengthy nomination and judging process, CEO identifies women in top executive positions that are making a difference in the private and public sector.

Madame Taraf was selected as a finalist in the agriculture category for her work in the cashew industry in Benin and with the African Cashew Alliance.  She was then chosen as one of five winners for the agriculture category on the continent, the only one representing her home country of Benin.  Even among an elite group of women working in Agriculture throughout Africa, Madame Taraf shined, eventually receiving the Agriculture award for the entire continent.  Her hard work, dedication and drive have never gone unnoticed by the ACA, but we are glad that it has been recognized by CEO and the judges who sat on the panel.  Madame Taraf is a true trailblazer, transforming the cashew industry in her country, Africa, and globally.

Madame Taraf hails from Benin, where she first became involved in cashew in 1996 as a buyer. A decade later, Madame Taraf entered the export side of the industry, establishing NAD&Co Industry in 2008, which opened a processing facility in 2011. She began working with ACA as head of the national committee in 2010, going on to serve as National Representative.  She was elected as ACA’s President in October 2012 by the ACA Executive Committee.  Since then, she has helped guide ACA through two international conferences in Benin and Ghana and continues to drive the cashew sector in Benin.