"Invest in Bangui" Workshop in the Cocoa Sector
By Firmine YABADA | LNC
(Bangui, July 15, 2026 | LNC) In the cocoa sector, the company "Invest in Bangui" organized a training workshop—with the support of FAFECA and the Ministry of Labor—for cocoa farmers from two different prefectures. This initiative aims to enhance producers' technical skills, with the guidance of French chocolatier Corine Maeght, in order to improve harvest quality, yields, and farmers' incomes, as well as to boost local processing. At the opening of the event, representatives from "Invest in Bangui" and FAFECA reaffirmed their commitment to supporting growth-generating agricultural initiatives. They view cocoa as a strategic sector capable of creating jobs, stimulating investment, and contributing to the country's economic development. The company intends to continue its support through training, technical monitoring, and the promotion of innovative agricultural projects. "As you know, we are an investment company. We identified the issue thanks to the farmers. When we began working with them—and bear in mind that last December, our company was honored by the Head of State for our initiative to process cocoa into chocolate bars—we realized we really needed to highlight this. We needed to find partners who could help them work effectively—ensuring proper fermentation, drying, and cultivation—to produce cocoa beans that meet international standards." It is worth noting that farmers in the provinces—whether in Gamboula, Bangassou, Nola, or Bambari—hold significant stocks. The company's role is to find buyers for them and to identify solutions—specifically, solutions for local processing so that Central Africans can consume Central African chocolate. Corinne Maeght, a renowned French chocolatier and trainer, is leading this initiative. Her role is to assist growers by sharing best practices and to meet with the men and women involved in local processing. Meanwhile, Fafeca focuses on local processing and the creation of value-added products. Over the course of several hours, participants received hands-on training covering proper cultivation techniques, plantation maintenance, cocoa disease management, harvesting methods, and best practices for drying and storing beans. The goal was to enable producers to meet the demands of national and international markets, where quality remains a decisive factor. The workshop also provided an opportunity for growers to share their experiences and the challenges they face in their daily work. Corinne Maeght, the French chocolatier and trainer conducting the session, commented: "It is a real pleasure for me today to work with these growers and share what I know about cocoa—how to achieve good yields and, above all, how to process this agricultural product into a solid cocoa mass." Participants welcomed the initiative, viewing it as essential for enhancing their knowledge and improving their performance. They expressed a desire for such workshops to be held regularly so that more producers across various cocoa-growing regions can benefit.
LNC
Date: July 15, 2026
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