The Ivory Coast has ambitions to sell chocolate made in the West African country around the world as the major cocoa exporter aims to increase revenue from its main commodity.
Speaking to The National in Davos on Monday, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting, Prime Minister Patrick Achi said relatively high prices for cocoa on international exchanges would not, on their own, support the development of Ivory Coast’s economy, including creating millions of jobs needed to meet the needs of a young population.
“For the past 30 years, we've been the [world’s] first producer of cocoa; actually, we are producing more than 2 million tonnes [a year],” he said.
“But at the end of the day, we also realise that whatever price you will be given, it will never be enough — not only for the country, but also for the hard labour of the people … because you are selling raw material.
“So, at the end of the day, transforming this raw material is the real challenge, you know, because you need added value, because you need to create jobs, to generate more revenue.”
“As far as cocoa is concerned, the whole value chain, going … from the farmer all the way to consumer is $105 billion. Now, the producer just gains $5bn of this. So, as long as you will be selling [only the] raw material, you never get there.”
The global chocolate market is forecast to grow to $200.4bn by 2028, from $138.5bn in 2020, according to research by Fior Markets.
“The main issue is, in any field or any sector in which you are, if you are not integrated into the world value chain, then you are losing,” said Mr Achi.
“Whatever quantity you are doing … that will not help you develop, nor having your people get a fair share of the revenue they deserve.”
The Ivory Coast is currently looking for investors to support its plans to become a chocolate producer.
“That is why our relationship with the Emirates is very important … we [will] be talking with our friend [Sheikh] Shakhbout [bin Nahyan, Minister of State] and officials in the emirates, not only to see investments from the country come to Ivory Coast to invest in the transformation and produce chocolate, but also to be able to have Dubai as a key strategic logistics export hub toward the Middle East and Asia,” Mr Achi said.
At the end of the day, transforming this raw material is the real challenge, you know, because you need added value, because you need to create jobs, to generate more revenue
Patrick Achi,
Prime Minister of the Ivory Coast
Issues related to the cocoa industry’s levels of sustainability in the country, including deforestation, are being addressed, he stressed.
“We have to be able to sustain our own agriculture, but also demand that you have out there in the world, shows a very important awareness of consumer, that will want to consume green foods, foods that are really free of deforestation, free of the worst form of child labour and sold at a price that is fair for the producer — all these key issues have to be taken into account.”
Mr Achi said the country is also looking to other commodities for future economic growth. The Ivory Coast recently announced the discovery of major oil and gas finds.
The successful exploration for and production of about 1.5 billion to 2 billion barrels of oil and about 1.8 trillion to 2.4 trillion cubic feet of gas would depend on a number of factors.
However, access to more hydrocarbons would be very important for both domestic consumption and international exports.
“Gas is very useful for electricity production, even though we are moving more and more to solar or to biomass, to have a better mix,” he said.
“Oil, yes, because that generates revenue that we need to invest, not only in basic infrastructure, but also in other social needs for our people.”
Investments are critical for the population of about 26 million, particularly in the north of the country, where there has been concern that conflict with militants in the Sahel could spill over this year and could increase.
“The best defence is through the population and your own people who don't want to see that happen and [conflict] spread out. And that comes from good training, access to basic needs — food, security, health, education. And, as I say, access to jobs,” he said.
“Jobs [are] the major challenge that we have. When you have a country where 77 per cent of the population is aged under 35, then you realise that if you are not able to find a job for these people, then you are creating big issues. By 2030 … I’ll have eight million kids on my hands. If I am not able to insert them in the economy, [and] work life, then I am into jeopardy.”
There has been an increase in incidents since 2020 related to the Sahel fight against ISIS and Al Qaeda. France has been training the Ivory Coast’s security forces and the US has also been working with the country.
Mr Achi expects this co-operation to continue.
“We see increasing co-operation, with all our friends and allies that are fighting against terrorists over the world, because, you know, you cannot let this spread out,” he said.
“And it is a threat, not only for the [African] continent, [it] is a threat for the world, wherever it happens … So, whoever can help to stop that, is welcome. So, we welcome all friends who want to help.”
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Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – Rally schedule:
Saturday: Super Special Spectator Stage – Yas Marina Circuit – start 3.30pm.
Sunday: Yas Marina Circuit Stage 1 (276.01km)
Monday: Nissan Stage 2 (287.92km)
Tuesday: Al Ain Water Stage 3 (281.38km)
Wednesday: ADNOC Stage 4 (244.49km)
Thursday: Abu Dhabi Aviation Stage 5 (218.57km) Finish: Yas Marina Circuit – 4.30pm.
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More on Quran memorisation:
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THE BIO
Occupation: Specialised chief medical laboratory technologist
Age: 78
Favourite destination: Always Al Ain “Dar Al Zain”
Hobbies: his work - “ the thing which I am most passionate for and which occupied all my time in the morning and evening from 1963 to 2019”
Other hobbies: football
Favorite football club: Al Ain Sports Club
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Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FIRST TEST SCORES
England 458
South Africa 361 & 119 (36.4 overs)
England won by 211 runs and lead series 1-0
Player of the match: Moeen Ali (England)
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Rating: 3/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
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Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The bio:
Favourite holiday destination: I really enjoyed Sri Lanka and Vietnam but my dream destination is the Maldives.
Favourite food: My mum’s Chinese cooking.
Favourite film: Robocop, followed by The Terminator.
Hobbies: Off-roading, scuba diving, playing squash and going to the gym.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV
Power: 360bhp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh282,870
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Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
Chelsea 2 Burnley 3
Chelsea Morata (69'), Luiz (88')
Burnley Vokes (24', 43'), Ward (39')
Red cards Cahill, Fabregas (Chelsea)
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
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Runners up: UAE Premiership
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HAJJAN
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if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
