Africa Trade Fund

Support for African Cashew Industries Project in East and West Africa

Description: This project has been granted by the African Development Bank via the Africa Trade Fund (AfTra). The objectives of the project include:

i) To improve product quality and quantity of African cashew processors

ii) To improve environmental management and sustainability in cashew processing

iii) To promote gender awareness and enhanced economic participation of women under equal conditions in cashew processing

This project involves support of African cashew industries to improve product quantity and marketing development in line with international best practices; ensuring that cashew processing is undertaken in an environmentally sustainable manner across the targeted regions; enhancing the economic participation of women in the cashew processing sector; and reducing rural poverty by promoting increased rural incomes through enhanced competitiveness and incomes amongst cashew processors. 

Grant Period: March 2017 - June 2019

Target Countries: Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Guinea Bissau, Benin, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire

Beneficiaries: Cashew Processors, Rural small-scale farmers and women

Key Outcomes: At least 1,500 jobs to be created, 70% of which are for women including in supervisory and management roles of cashew processing; promoting environmentally sustainable cashew processing with a positive impact on environment through implementation of environmentally sustainable practices for cashew processors. Overall, the project seeks to improve rural livelihoods and enhance rural living standards by generating rural employment and improved incomes. It will also contribute to poverty reduction, contribute to gender equality and women’s empowerment, contribute to processing competitiveness, and contribute to each country’s foreign exchange earnings.

This page is made possible by the generous support of the African Development Bank. The contents are the responsibility of the African Cashew Alliance and do not necessarily reflect the views of the African Development Bank.