In the Mambasa territory of Ituri, on the edge of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, hundreds of small cocoa producers have joined forces to gain more influence in the market and protect their environment. Created in 2019, the Cacao Okapi agricultural cooperative now brings together more than 400 producers and is gradually positioning itself as a credible player in sustainable specialty cocoa in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Organising to break out of isolation
Producers in the region face a double handicap: the isolation of their villages and poor infrastructure. Rural roads in poor condition, a lack of post-harvest processing centres, limited access to financing and technical support services, all in a context of insecurity and climate change, make the sector particularly vulnerable.
Faced with these challenges, the creation of Cacao Okapi responds to a clear desire: to organise collectively to improve cocoa quality, access more lucrative markets and promote forest-friendly production. The cooperative model allows producers to pool their efforts, strengthen their bargaining power and set up traceability and quality control systems that meet the requirements of European buyers.
Support from the TDC: professionalisation, commercial capabilities and traceability
It was in this context that the partnership with the Trade for Development Centre (Enabel) came about, following a call for proposals aimed at producer organisations engaged in sustainable trade. The 24-month project aims to strengthen the cooperative’s organisational, technical and commercial capacities, while supporting its compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
In concrete terms, the TDC’s support takes the form of several complementary measures: training in cooperative governance, improvement of administrative management, support for the management of fermentation and drying centres, strengthening of traceability and support in commercial negotiations. This professionalisation is reflected in the implementation of clear management and quality control procedures, which have already strengthened the confidence of international buyers.
Fermentation centres for speciality cocoa
At the heart of this transformation are fermentation and drying centres (FDCs), which are essential for controlling the final quality of the beans. Thanks to co-financing for the project, two new centres will be added to the four existing ones, bringing the total capacity to six FDCs capable of processing around 60 tonnes of dry beans per year, of which 48 tonnes are destined for export and 12 tonnes for the local market.
For producers, these facilities represent a tangible improvement: reduced post-harvest losses, standardised quality and access to a higher-value speciality cocoa market. At the beginning of 2024, cocoa processed in FDCs benefited from a price differential of around $1.3 per kilogram compared to beans fermented on the farm, illustrating the direct impact of quality on income.
A structured commercial partnership with Silva Cacao
On the commercial side, Cacao Okapi can count on a key partner: Silva Cacao, a buyer specialising in high-quality cocoa, which has been sourcing from the cooperative since 2021. This partnership offers regular outlets, better sales planning and recognition on the international specialty cocoa market.
Silva Cacao has declared its willingness to purchase at least one container per month, which secures part of the volume while sending a strong signal to other potential buyers. At the same time, the cooperative is working with financial institutions such as SMICO, Equity-BCDC, Root Capital and Agri Business Capital Fund to strengthen its working capital and increase its commercial capital as volumes grow.
Agroforestry and sustainable practices at the heart of the model
In a forest area as sensitive as Ituri, in the immediate vicinity of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, environmental sustainability is not a slogan but a necessity. Cacao Okapi promotes sustainable agricultural practices: sustainable pruning of cocoa trees, composting of pod waste, use of organic fertilisers and biopesticides, and good harvesting, fermentation and drying practices.
The project supported by the TDC plans to train 656 producers in good agricultural practices and organic fertilisation, with the installation of organic fertiliser production units run by young rural entrepreneurs. At the same time, the cooperative is supporting the adoption of agroforestry systems on more than 600 hectares, introducing species with high commercial value such as macadamia, cordia and sought-after timber. This approach diversifies income, restores soil fertility and limits pressure on the forest, while opening the door to Payment for Environmental Services mechanisms.
Preparing for the EUDR: geolocating plots and securing market access
To remain present on the European market, Cacao Okapi has made compliance with the EUDR a strategic priority. The TDC-supported project is financing the creation of a comprehensive plantation database, hosted on Kobotoolbox, including the polygons, characteristics and GPS coordinates of each plot.
The results are already evident: while the initial objective was to geolocate 625 producers, nearly 1,000 producers and more than 1,200 polygons have been mapped in just a few months, thanks in particular to the support of AGRI TRACE, which mobilised a team of agronomists in the field. This database is a key tool for traceability, demonstrating the absence of deforestation and preparing for possible certifications (organic, fair trade, Rainforest Alliance).
Cacao Okapi has already been certified organic, but certification has been temporarily suspended due to security issues that prevent external audits from being carried out in the east of the country. The cooperative is currently in discussions with a new certification body to reinstate this certification as soon as the situation allows.
Resilience in a fragile context
Ituri remains a province marked by security, logistical and social challenges that complicate the implementation of any development initiative. Some production areas remain difficult to access, requiring constant adjustments to training, mapping and collection schedules. Despite these constraints, Cacao Okapi has consolidated its internal governance, set up monitoring committees and is actively involved in provincial platforms that bring together exporters, public services and financial institutions.
Capitalising on the solid progress made with the support of the TDC, Cacao Okapi has set itself a clear strategic goal: to consolidate its efforts on the international market. The objectives are to increase its visibility, establish new commercial contacts, consolidate existing relationships and secure long-term purchase commitments for its sustainable specialty cocoa.
Promising contacts at Chocoa
With this dynamic approach, aimed at transforming its potential into concrete opportunities, the cooperative participated in the Chocoa trade fair in Amsterdam, a leading international event bringing together key players in the cocoa and chocolate sector. This participation enabled the cooperative to present its cocoa to dozens of market players, including artisan chocolatiers, importers and organisations specialising in sustainable cocoa.
During the fair, more than 15 professional contacts were established, opening up prospects for commercial and technical collaboration. The cooperative also took part in discussions on European market requirements in terms of quality, traceability and sustainability, thereby strengthening its ability to position its producers’ cocoa in higher value-added markets. This participation represents a concrete step towards expanding international markets and promoting Cacao Okapi’s cocoa.
