Nescafé Plan drives coffee revival in Côte d’Ivoire
Coffee once shaped Côte d’Ivoire’s rural identity and fueled its economy. For years, however, tired trees and changing climate conditions slowed production and threatened that legacy. Now, a renewed push led by the Nescafé Plan is helping farmers restore their plantations, improve yields and build sustainable futures for their families.
Among those who embraced this agricultural resurgence is François Dadi Serikpa, a former bus driver who turned to farming after retirement. With support from Nestlé agronomists, he adopted new soil-care techniques and planted improved Robusta seedlings that strengthened his fields. He says the crop now supports his twelve children and twenty-one grandchildren — and gives his family long-term stability.
Côte d’Ivoire revives a once-dominant crop
Côte d’Ivoire once harvested nearly 380,000 tonnes of coffee annually. But ageing plantations, limited financing and competition from other crops pushed production below 47,000 tonnes by 2023. The shift threatened rural livelihoods and a once-powerful export commodity.
Despite the dip, the country’s coffee culture remains strong. Consumption continues to rise, expected to reach 1.38 million kilograms in 2025 and generate $32.13 million across retail and food-service channels. Nestlé has helped fuel that growth through its Abidjan factory, which has operated for more than 65 years and won national honors for responsible manufacturing.
Skills, seedlings and street-coffee opportunities
More than 21,000 farming households now benefit from Nescafé Plan training aligned with global sustainability standards. As part of the program, producers receive high-yield Robusta seedlings from Nestlé’s research facility in Zambakro, developed in collaboration with Ivorian agricultural institutions. Yields among trained farmers can reach up to 1,200 kilograms per hectare depending on conditions.
Nestlé also purchases beans directly from cooperatives through its Farmer Connect platform, strengthening income stability. Beyond farms, the company is nurturing new entrepreneurs through its My Own Business initiative, which equips more than 600 young vendors with coffee carts, training and basic equipment.
One beneficiary, Kamenan Assanvo, has grown his street-coffee network to 45 stands and recently added ten new carts across Greater Abidjan. His success reflects a broader movement as young Ivorians tap into rising local demand and help redefine the country’s modern coffee experience.
Nestlé Côte d’Ivoire’s communications head, Mame Pane Sakho, says the mission is long-term: supporting local talent, boosting productivity and ensuring coffee remains a cornerstone of rural and urban livelihoods.
