Côte d’Ivoire to establish coffee and cocoa research institute

The government of Côte d’Ivoire has announced the creation of the Institut du Café et du Cacao (I2C), a specialized research body dedicated to the country’s vital coffee and cocoa sectors. Announced during a Council of Ministers meeting on September 23, 2026, the initiative aims to bolster scientific research to improve yields, enhance global competitiveness, and meet international market standards.

The research complex will be established in Divo at the existing site of the Centre national de recherche agronomique (CNRA). This location was selected to leverage existing infrastructure and mature experimental plots. The institute is intended to integrate advanced technologies with highly specialized human resources, operating in collaboration with national universities, regional excellence hubs, and international organizations.

A primary focus of the I2C will be addressing critical agricultural challenges, such as protecting plantations from diseases like Swollen Shoot and improving productivity through advanced varieties, such as the Mercedes cocoa variety. Given that the cocoa sector accounts for approximately 17% of Côte d’Ivoire’s GDP, the institute is viewed as a strategic move to secure the nation's economic interests.