AFF–AGRA Webinar Series | Webinar 3

📅 Thursday, 20 August 2026
🕑 2:00 PM Ghana (GMT) | 5:00 PM Kenya (EAT)

Can cocoa production become part of the solution to Africa’s forest loss while strengthening livelihoods and creating more resilient rural economies?

The African Forest Forum (AFF), in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), invites you to join the third webinar in the AFF–AGRA Webinar Series to explore pathways for transforming cocoa production and trade in Africa.

The webinar is being convened under the project “Scaling Youth-Led Climate Innovations for a Greener Africa: Enhancing Compliance with European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) through Sustainable Land Management and Landscape Restoration.”

Why this conversation matters

Cocoa is one of Africa’s most important export commodities and supports millions of farming households. Yet, in some of the continent’s major cocoa-producing landscapes, the expansion of cocoa production has contributed to forest loss, biodiversity decline and landscape degradation.

The challenge is therefore not simply to produce more cocoa, but to transform how cocoa is produced and traded.

The transition from full-sun cocoa monocropping towards multifunctional cocoa-agroforestry systems offers an opportunity to reverse this trajectory. By integrating diverse trees with cocoa, agroforestry systems can contribute to forest and landscape restoration, improve ecosystem functions, support biodiversity and strengthen resilience to climate stresses, while diversifying farmer incomes through timber, fruit and other tree-based products.

This transformation is particularly important for smallholder farmers, youth and women, who need viable livelihood opportunities and greater access to markets, finance, technology and institutional support.

Cocoa, forests and the changing market landscape

The urgency for transformation is also being reinforced by changing international market requirements. The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is driving greater attention to deforestation-free supply chains, due diligence and traceability. For cocoa-producing countries, this presents both challenges and opportunities.

Limited awareness, gaps in traceability infrastructure, compliance costs and limited access to technology and finance could create risks for smallholder producers and other value-chain actors. At the same time, stronger traceability and appropriate market incentives could help reward cocoa that is deforestation-free, biodiversity-positive and restoration-oriented.

The webinar will bring together experts and stakeholders to examine how policy, markets, finance and innovation can work together to support this transition.

What will the webinar explore?

Participants will hear evidence and perspectives on:

• The environmental, economic and social challenges associated with cocoa monocropping;
• Pathways for transitioning towards multifunctional and biodiverse cocoa-agroforestry systems;
• The role of cocoa agroforestry in forest restoration, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience;
• Opportunities for diversifying farmer incomes and developing green livelihoods for youth and women;
• The policy and institutional conditions required to support sustainable cocoa production;
• Traceability, due diligence and the implications of emerging requirements such as the EUDR;
• Market and financial incentives that can reward deforestation-free and restoration-positive cocoa; and
• Practical pathways for scaling sustainable cocoa production and value-chain systems across Africa.

Why should you participate?

This webinar will provide an opportunity to:

• Learn from experts working across cocoa production, agroforestry, forest conservation, value chains and EUDR implementation.
• Exchange evidence, experiences and lessons from initiatives seeking to transform cocoa landscapes.
• Explore practical approaches for linking sustainable cocoa production with forest restoration and improved livelihoods.
• Connect with policymakers, researchers, private-sector actors, farmer organizations, development partners and other stakeholders working to build more sustainable cocoa value chains.
• Contribute to discussions on the policy, market and financing mechanisms needed to scale restoration-positive cocoa production in Africa.

Speakers

• Keynote Address: Prof. Labode Popoola – Executive Secretary - CEO, African Forest Forum
• Catalyzing Agrobiodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Cacao Agroforestry: Opportunities for Youth and Women: Elizabeth Asantewaa Danso – Ghana Forest Research Institute
• Policy and Institutional Enablers for Transforming Cocoa Farming towards Agrobiodiverse Landscapes and Pro-Poor Green Business: Isaac Nunoo – FAO/Cocoa Monitor Ghana
• Navigating Social Dynamics in EUDR Implementation and Due Diligence for Deforestation-Free Cocoa Production and Trade: Betty Boante – World Conservation
• From Monocrop to Multifunctional Production Systems: Silvicultural Pathways for Biodiverse Cocoa Agroforestry: Richard Asare – CGIAR

Moderator: Tefera Belay – African Forest Forum

Who should attend?

The webinar is particularly relevant to policymakers and government institutions, cocoa-sector agencies, farmer cooperatives, private-sector actors, certification bodies, researchers, development partners, NGOs, youth and women’s organizations, and practitioners working across cocoa production, agroforestry, forest conservation, climate action and value chains.

Register to participate

Join the conversation and be part of shaping the future of cocoa production and trade in Africa. 

Click on the link below to register for the webinar:

[Register for the Webinar]