CICC-GIZ/MOVE COOPERATION: BENIN HOSTS THE REGIONAL WORKSHOP FOR THE EVALUATION OF MATCHING GRANT FUND (MGF) PROJECTS TO BOOST THE CASHEW SECTOR
To strengthen the competitiveness of the cashew sector in West and Central Africa, Benin is hosting from 8 to 10 June 2026 the regional workshop of implementing partners of the Matching Grant Fund (MGF) projects of the “Business Support Facility for Resilient Agricultural Value Chains” co-financed by the European Union (EU), within the framework of the post-Cotonou Agreement, with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the Federal Ministry for Development and Economic Cooperation (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ.
Organised by GIZ through the MOVE (Market-Oriented Value Chains for Jobs and Growth in the ECOWAS Region) project, this event brings together the key actors of a large-scale financial mechanism, which currently supports 42 grant projects in 17 countries, including nine CICC countries with six major initiatives in Benin.
The Consultative International Cashew Council (CICC), GIZ’s institutional and strategic technical partner in the selection and evaluation process of these projects, made a very noticeable presence, facilitating the participation of high-level delegations.
A strong institutional alignment for African grey gold
At the opening of the workshop, punctuated by highly strategic interventions, testifying to the synergy between political and technical institutions and experts in the sector, Ms Beate Weiskopf, Head of the GIZ/MOVE-ComCashew Programme, highlighted the successes of MGF projects. She warmly welcomed the commitment of the partners who, thanks to their contribution, stimulate innovation, consolidate companies and boost the cashew sector at the regional level.
Mr. Arnaud TOGBEI, official representative of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of Benin, welcomed the choice of his country to host this meeting. He reaffirmed the alignment of this project with national policies to promote local cashew processing, while inviting participants to show open-mindedness, sharing experiences, innovation and solidarity so that the conclusions of this workshop contribute to further strengthening its competitiveness and regional cooperation.
On behalf of the technical committee, Mr. Sylvestre Fandohan, representing the CICC’s expert evaluators, reviewed the rigour and transparency that guided the selection process of the projects submitted to this evaluation, thus ensuring high-impact investments for the sector.
Representing the Executive Secretary of the CICC, Mr. Abraham Ephraim Ouattara delivered a speech focused on responsibility and impact. While expressing the Council’s gratitude to GIZ and its financial partners for this exceptional lever, he made a vibrant appeal to the beneficiary companies: “This co-financing is not only a financial opportunity, but a huge responsibility. Use this opportunity to modernize your tools and have a lasting impact on the cashew industry in your respective countries.”
A sustainable partnership for agricultural transformation
Through the successful implementation of these 42 regional projects, the CICC, GIZ/MOVE and its partners reaffirm their common ambition: to transform Africa from a major producer of raw cashew nuts to a world leader in processing and value-addition.
The Cotonou workshop thus lays the groundwork for rigorous local monitoring, guaranteeing participants an ideal framework for exchanging experiences, refining strategies and learning so that each resource invested contributes to the sustainable modernization of cashew value chains and the creation of wealth and decent jobs.
