Voices of the Cashew Sector – André M. Tandjiekpon

June 15, 2022 Agriculture
Constance Konan, Aminata Camara Badji, Analisa Goodmann
Program

In 2020, Development Gateway (DG) partnered with Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) under the USDA West Africa PRO-Cashew project to develop the Cashew-IN data collection and analysis platform

The project has identified gaps in the data collection, storage, usage and dissemination related to the cashew sector in all five of the implementing countries (Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria). The project is now working to address these gaps through a multi-country cashew data management system (Cashew-IN) that will facilitate access to and use of data to improve decision-making for policymakers, farmers, and the private sector. The ultimate goal is to generate better market outcomes for cashew nuts in these countries.

André M. Tandjiekpon, Executive Secretary of the Consultative International Cashew Council (CICC), gives an overview of CICC’s work and explains how the Cashew-IN platform developed by CNFA and DG will support his work.

André M. Tandjiekpon

In a few words, what’s the CICC?

The CICC is an international organization for the promotion of cashew value chains that currently has 11 member states, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo. Created in 2016, its objective is to provide a framework for consultation and promotion of the cashew sector through policy coordination and cooperation among member states. 

What is your ambition for the cashew sector over the next five years? 

The CICC’s ambition is to bring together States that collectively hold at least 80% of the world’s cashew nut production to increase the processing capacity installed and used to at least 40% in African countries, to influence the international governance of the sector by harmonizing attractive, and to secure policies to increase private investment.

How can the Cashew-IN tool help you achieve your objectives?

The Cashew-IN tool will contribute to the availability of reliable statistical data and information on the development of the sector in terms of production, processing, marketing, and consumption. Additionally, Cashew-IN will support the decisions of member states on policy issues, as well as, public and private actors to increase and secure investments in the sector. 

This interview was edited for clarity and style. 

To learn more about Cashew-IN, check out our Cashew-IN program playlist on YouTube.

For any questions or comments, please reach out to Constance Konan at ckonan@developmentgateway.org 

 

Partners

USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is a federal department that provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management. Through their PRO-Cashew project, USDA is working to boost the competitiveness of West African producers by improving efficiency and quality in production and trade, and by working to develop more coherent regional trade and investment policies.

CNFA

Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture is an international agricultural development organization that specializes in the design and implementation of sustainable, enterprise-based agricultural initiatives. We work with businesses, foundations, governments, and communities to build customized local and global partnerships that meet the world’s growing demand for food. Since its inception in 1985, CNFA has designed and implemented enterprise-based, agricultural development initiatives to facilitate market access, enhance agribusiness competitiveness, increase productivity, and improve access to inputs and financing in 47 countries around the world.

Share

Recent Posts

The Data Crisis Following USAID’s Withdrawal: Opportunities to Reimagine Data Systems

For decades, USAID and other US government funding supported global data systems, from health surveys and early warning tools to digital infrastructure for ministries. The abrupt termination of USAID funding has triggered twin crises: a halt to data collection and the undermining of digital systems – reveal existing inefficiencies and instabilities in how data is collected, managed, and shared both within and between countries.

April 16, 2025 Strategic Advisory Services
Cashews
Building a Sustainable Cashew Sector in West Africa Through Data and Collaboration

Cashew-IN project came to an end in August 2024 after four years of working with government agencies, producers, traders, processors, and development partners in the five implementing countries to co-create an online tool aimed to inform, support, promote, and strengthen Africa’s cashew industry. This blog outlines some of the key project highlights, including some of the challenges we faced, lessons learned, success stories, and identified opportunities for a more competitive cashew sector in West Africa.

April 14, 2025 Agriculture
Merger & Partnerships Blog Image
Launching a Partnership Matching Service for Nonprofits

While a lot of us have talked about the potential, value, and – in some cases – need for more mergers and acquisitions in the non-profit space, recent events have made it clear: now is the time. That’s why the teams at Accountability Lab, Development Gateway: An IREX Venture and Digital Public, partnered up to develop both a new toolkit, a partnership matching service, and professional support infrastructure aimed at assisting the organizations facing this challenge.

April 2, 2025 Process & Tools, Strategic Advisory Services