Socio-Economic Impacts of Cocoa Investments in Côte d’Ivoire: a Community-Centered Approach

Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa sector is a cornerstone of its economy, underpinning the livelihoods of rural farming communities. This study evaluates the socio-economic impacts of investments in cocoa farming, adopting a communitycentred lens to understand how these interventions improve local livelihoods in the Nawa region, the nation’s largest cocoa-producing area. Using data collected from 100 small-scale farmers and qualitative interviews, the analysis explores the effects of financial support, training and infrastructure projects. The results show that while 70% of farmers have benefited from agricultural training, only 30% have benefited from direct financial investment, and many of them report not having sufficient resources to implement sustainable farming practices. Investments in social infrastructure, such as schools and health centres, has had a direct impact on community well-being, but has proved insufficient. The results highlight an unequal distribution of benefits, with producers affiliated to cooperatives faring better than isolated farmers. Policy recommendations include expanding investment programs, promoting social infrastructure development and removing systemic barriers to accessing resources. This research highlights the importance of community-based strategies to ensure equitable and sustainable development of rural cocoa farming systems.