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Home » Regions » West & Central Africa

West & Central Africa

Expansive forests, vital rural economies

What's at Stake

West and Central Africa have strong rural economies set within some of the world's largest forest expanses. The Congo Basin spans eight countries, contains the world's second largest contiguous forest, and boasts abundant biodiversity and natural resources. It also provides food, water, and shelter to some 75 million people.

Cocoa farmers face economic hardship, climate change

Seventy percent of the world’s cocoa comes from West Africa, where cocoa cultivation is a way of life reaching back for generations. Most of the cocoa throughout the region is grown by smallholder farmers who struggle not only with economic hardship, but also with the effects of climate change—hotter temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and a shift in growing seasons.

Our Work


Sustainable agriculture and community forestry are powerful strategies for conserving the abundance of natural resources in West and Central Africa. In addition to our work to conserve the forests of the Congo Basin, we partner with farming communities to build climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture landscapes.

Article

Addressing Challenges in West African Cocoa Farming

Our West Africa Director talks about the ongoing challenges in the cocoa sector.... Continue Reading
Learn More
Article

Community Forestry Combats Urgent Threats in Cameroon

A promising alternative has begun to emerge: the devolution of forest management to local communities... Continue Reading
Learn More
farmer holding opened cocoa pod
Article

Strengthening Transparency in West Africa’s Cocoa Supply Chain

Collaboration is key to affecting change that will improve the lives of cocoa farmers and their families.... Continue Reading
Learn More
cocoa pods hanging from the tree
Article

Cocoa Farmers Help Protect Last Primary Rainforest in Côte d’Ivoire

We're helping farmers increase their incomes and conserve a precious ecosystem.... Continue Reading
Learn More

All resources for West & Central Africa


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The secret to successful landscape management lies in the local communities
Article

Thriving Communities, Healthy Landscapes

We're helping more than two million farmers embrace more sustainable growing practices that can help build resilience to climate change and boost yields.

Published on November 29, 2022

Impact Study

Towards Sustainable Cocoa in Côte d’Ivoire: The Impacts and Contribution of UTZ Certification Combined with Services Provided by Companies

This impact evaluation was commissioned to Wageningen University, and analyses the contribution of certification and interventions of companies implementing certification with groups of farmers in... View more

Published on July 18, 2022
Available in: English

Impact Study

Impacts of Cocoa Sustainability Initiatives in West Africa

This scientific article analyses the social, economic, and environmental effects of voluntary standards initiatives and corporate initiatives in the cocoa sector in West Africa, largely focusing on... View more

Published on July 18, 2022
Available in: English

Article

Rainforest Alliance Certified Cocoa

We work with almost one million cocoa farmers to build thriving livelihoods and climate resilience through certification and training.

Published on March 21, 2022

Ghana News Agency
Media Coverage

Project to tackle child labour in cocoa and gold mining sectors launched

Published on September 30, 2021 | Ghana News Agency

The Rainforest Alliance has launched a project to tackle forced and child labour in the cocoa and gold mining sectors of Ghana.

Case Study

Identifying Your Pathway Towards Sustainability: Our Work with Nestlé Cocoa

As one of the world’s largest purchasers of cocoa, Nestlé recognizes the position it is in to make a difference. This case study shows how Nestlé utilizes all three major Rainforest Alliance... View more

Published on September 23, 2021
Available in: English

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