The Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative (ASCI) has been selected as a winner of the Schwab Foundation Awards 2025

Proforest’s Africa and Global director, Abraham Baffoe has received the award for Collective Social Innovators on behalf of ASCI today at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. The Schwab Foundation awards recognise outstanding social entrepreneurs and innovators who are driving systemic change around the world. The 2025 awards celebrate 18 social entrepreneurs and innovators from 15 organisations in 13 countries, who are engaged in action as diverse as protecting nature, supporting livelihoods of economically marginalised communities, and transforming healthcare and education. ASCI is joining a global community of nearly 500 social entrepreneurs and innovators, who collectively impact 931 million lives.

Agriculture is a key economic driver in Africa, providing jobs and livelihoods for millions of people, but it is also a cause of deforestation, biodiversity loss and human rights abuses. To help navigate the complexities of balancing agricultural development to feed the growing population while protecting forests and biodiversity, the Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative brings ten countries in West and Central Africa together, committed to principles of responsible production, in a way that protects natural resources and advances human rights and livelihoods.

These ten countries – Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone – represent 75% of Africa’s tropical forests and 25% globally.

Abraham has been instrumental in leading the ASCI since its inception as the Africa Palm Oil Initiative in 2014. Over ten years the collective has driven changes in policy, established new national process and built capacity, creating an enabling environment for long-term, sustainable growth and development, through an African-owned and led initiative, inclusive of government, private sector and communities.

“This award is an honour I share with all the members of the Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative,” said Abraham Baffoe, Proforest Africa and Global Executive director. “ASCI embeds the multi-stakeholder process at every stage and every level, which has been a crucial element in its ongoing success. This recognition from the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship is a springboard to what I hope will be further global engagement and investment through ASCI, where there is so much opportunity ahead, and so much need to support livelihoods for millions of people and protect our natural resources in Africa.”

Africa's biggest aquaculture meeting — the World Aquaculture Safari 2025 — will be held from 24-27 June in Kampala, Uganda

Aquaculture has a tremendous potential to contribute to sub-Saharan Africa's food security, while also boosting job opportunities across the continent. Over the years, aquaculture production has seen a 11% growth, with tilapia being the most-farmed fish in sub-Saharan Africa. Recognising its significance, the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) has established annual conferences to celebrate achievements, address challenges, and foster collaboration in the sector.

Sponsored by the EU-funded TRUEFISH Project, the World Aquaculture Safari 2025 is a World Aquaculture Conference, incorporating both the continental event and the showcase global event. Besides addressing key African topics such as tilapia and catfish production, the conference will also cater to a global audience covering a diverse range of presentations, species, meetings, discussions, workshops and more.

The FAO, the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are few among the many developmental partners that are expected to participate.

According to a study by Wageningen University & Research (WUR), climate change is having a significant impact on cocoa production in West and Central Africa

Changes in temperature and rainfall are making some areas less suitable for cocoa cultivation, while others may benefit from the shifting climate. Researcher Paulina Asante from Ghana and her colleagues used a computer model to simulate the impact of climate change by 2060 in four countries: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. In Ivory Coast, up to 50% of the current cocoa-growing areas could be lost, significantly reducing production. Ghana is expected to see a moderate decline in suitable areas, while Nigeria and Cameroon may experience an increase in arable land for cocoa. Cameroon’s production could rise by 60%, and Nigeria’s by approximately 40%.

Risk of increased deforestation

These shifts may push cocoa farming into previously untouched areas, increasing the risk of deforestation, explained WUR researcher, Niels Anten. “Cameroon has a relatively large amount of rainforest, and cocoa is often grown in areas that were originally tropical forests. This puts significant pressure on these ecosystems.”

"Addressing the impact of climate change on cocoa requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. It affects every stage of the supply chain: farmers face reduced yields, businesses encounter rising costs, and consumers see higher prices,” said Paulina Asante. “While collaboration can be challenging, it is crucial to help current production regions adapt and maintain production on existing plantations. This will prevent cocoa-related deforestation elsewhere and ensure that deforestation-free policies, like the EU law EUDR, deliver meaningful outcomes."

New EU law to prevent deforestation

The European Union is introducing new import rules to combat global deforestation. Starting in September, the Regulation of Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR) will prohibit imports of products, including cocoa, from areas deforested after 2021.

Uncertain factors in projections

The models used by the researchers combine current knowledge of cocoa physiology with projected climate changes in West and Central Africa. However, there are still many unknowns. One is the effect of rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Since CO₂ enhances photosynthesis, it could mitigate some of the negative effects of drought and heat. The extent of this impact remains uncertain. Additionally, researchers are still exploring how flowering and fruiting will respond to warming, as well as how pests and diseases may evolve. Further research is urgently needed - not just for cocoa but for all crops - to better prepare agriculture for the future.

Major consequences for farmers

For many farmers in West Africa, who already face low incomes and limited access to resources, climate change could have profound consequences. To offset the negative effects, it is crucial to increase yields per hectare. There is significant potential for improvement, as the current production levels are far below their potential. Better soil management and targeted fertilisation could help bridge this gap. Agroforestry, where cocoa trees are grown alongside other trees, also holds promise. Shade trees can lower temperatures, stabilise humidity, and provide additional products, diversifying farmers' incomes. “Choosing the right shade trees is essential. Some trees use too much water, exacerbating drought issues. It is crucial to select species suited to the local climate and soil conditions,” says Danaë Rozendaal, another researcher on the team. Developing heat- and drought-resistant cocoa varieties and providing training for farmers can also help maintain or even boost production.

The research involved collaboration between WUR groups Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Plant Production Systems Group, and Forest Ecology & Forest Management Group, along with cocoa companies, international and national research institutions, NGOs (non-governmental organisations), and local governments as part of the Norwegian government-funded CocoaSoils programme.

Chocolate prices

The effects of climate change on cocoa production are already noticeable. Cocoa trees, which typically have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years, are struggling with higher temperatures and unpredictable rainfall. This has previously led to crop failures in Ivory Coast. Consumers feel the impact through higher chocolate prices. Some manufacturers are responding by incorporating alternatives, such as cookie pieces, into chocolate bars to reduce cocoa use. “I don’t think cocoa will become so scarce that chocolate letters will only be visible under a microscope in the future,” Anten jokes, “but the sector must adapt to the changing climate.”

The research on the impact of climate change on cocoa production in West and Central Africa is ongoing. Current studies are examining the extent to which West Africa can meet growing cocoa demand while adhering to the EUDR regulations.

The Netherlands and cocoa

Climate effects on cocoa also have economic implications for the Netherlands, one of the largest players in the global cocoa industry. The Netherlands is the second-largest exporter of cocoa, processing large volumes into chocolate and other products for worldwide export. The annual Dutch export value of cocoa and cocoa products is nearly 10 billion euros - almost equal to the combined export value of the dairy and egg sectors. This makes cocoa the fourth-largest export sector in the country.

Leading agro-food enterprise in the Middle East and Africa, Invictus Investment Company Plc recently announced it has completed the acquisition of Merec Industries, Mozambique’s largest flour milling company

The deal was made through the purchase of Merec Industries’ holding entity, Stratton Africa Holdings Limited, Mauritius, from current shareholders Amethis Fund II and Merec Financial.

Merec Industries is a market leader with strategically located mills, production facilities and silos, along with a strong portfolio of leading food brands. The company operates state-of-the-art milling facilities with a total production capacity of more than 800,000 MT of wheat and corn flour per annum. It also has processing facilities for over 180,000 MT of pasta, biscuits and animal feed per annum, as well as grain silos with a total storage capacity of more than 145,000 MT. The company’s assets are strategically located in Beira, Maputo and Nacala to comprehensively cover demand in Mozambique and neighbouring countries. It also owns a grain terminal at the port of Maputo. 

“The acquisition is expected to add significant scale and synergies between the two companies, increasing our consolidated revenues by over US$272mn per annum," said Amir Daoud Abdellatif, CEO of Invictus Investment. "It will also accelerate other investments and the expansion of our trading activities, fuelling substantial EBITDA growth, which is projected to more than double in 2025."

“This move contributes to our long-term strategy to expand our agro-food business in high-potential African markets, develop new strategic partnerships and build on our operational capabilities in themidstream and downstream segments. It also brings us a step closer to our goal of becoming a fully integrated agro-food enterprise in the Middle East and Africa and achieving US$6.8bn in revenue by 2028. With a focus on key staples in the agricultural sector and food industry, the transaction is expected to positively impact food security and economic growth in Mozambique by supporting job creation and driving export growth.”

With a population of over 34 million, growing at nearly 3% annually, Mozambique is an attractive growth market for wheat-based products, where Invictus Investment expects a projected CAGR of 6% in demand from 2022 to 2027, driven by population growth, urbanisation and rising incomes. The pasta market is also expected to offer additional avenues for business growth, with a forecasted CAGR of 9.5%, driven by evolving dietary preferences over time.

Jean Sébastien, Senior Partner at AmethisFund II, said: “We are pleased to announce the sale of our Merec shareholding to Invictus Investment. Our partnership with Merec has seen it establish a strong market position and brand portfolio by consistently delivering high-quality products. Merec’s growth in its core wheat milling business and diversification into wheat value-addition has significantly contributed to job creation and has improved Mozambique’s food security to the benefit of millions of Mozambican consumers all over the country – a core pillar to Amethis’ investment strategy. We are confident that Invictus Investment will further enhance Merec’s growth by improving efficiency, product quality and seizing new opportunities. With Merec’s local expertise and Invictus Investment’s global capabilities, we are certain that the business will reach new heights.”

The acquisition of Merec Industries is Invictus Investment’s second major transaction in Africa, following the purchase of a 60% stake in Graderco, Morocco’s leading grains trading company, and its subsidiaries from Zalar Holding. Invictus Investment remains focused on exploring further acquisition opportunities, developing new joint ventures in strategic markets,and continuing its investments across key African markets.