How to transform cashew industry in Togo – the story of Cajou Espoir

Over the past two decades, the global cashew consumption has seen a remarkable growth, driven by increasing awareness of the nut’s nutritional benefits and versatility. In 2025, experts project demand to rise by 10-15% compared with previous year. This growing appetite for cashews presents significant opportunities for producers and processors alike. Yet, it also highlights the complexity of global supply chains. A journey of a cashew from the field to our tables can span over 30,000 kilometres, crossing continents and oceans. 

The cashew’s long journey

In 2023, Togo produced 38,880 tonnes of cashews, a crop that has become increasingly vital to the country’s economy. Yet, like many African nations, Togo exports about 90% of its raw cashews to India and Vietnam for processing. This means the majority of the value is added outside of Togo, leaving local communities with little benefit from their hard work and leaving the country without capturing the full economic potential of the crop.

While raw cashew nuts from Togo might reach around EUR 0.95 per kg, processed cashew kernels can cost up to EUR 5.5 per kg in export markets. That’s a difference that could transform lives in rural Togo, where about 45% of the population lives below the international poverty line of $2.15 per day.

Cajou Espoir

Founded in 2004 by two visionary Togolese entrepreneurs, François Locoh-Donou and Maurice Edorh, Cajou Espoir emerged with a mission to alleviate poverty in rural West Africa. Today, it stands as Togo’s largest cashew processor, with a processing capacity reaching 15% of the country’s annual raw cashew nuts production.

But to say Cajou Espoir is just a processing company is unfair. It is a lifeline for over 1,500 local smallholder  farmers, providing them with support to produce organic and fair trade nuts while increasing their yields. The company employs over 700 people[1], 70% of whom are women, creating a ripple effect of economic empowerment throughout local communities. They focus on increasing local processing capacity and capturing more value from the cashew industry within Togo. This approach increases the economic benefits of the smallholder farmers who produce cashews, and aligns with sustainability goals by reducing transportation-related carbon emissions.

By processing cashews domestically, Cajou Espoir contributes to job creation, skills development, and increased export earnings for Togo, as processed cashews command higher prices in international markets compared to raw nuts.

“It’s quite simple, we calculated that our interactions with local farmers lead to a 100% increase in their revenues” – said Jerome Poulin, Managing Director.

We talked to Jérôme Poulin who is the Managing Director of Cajou Espoir since January 2023 (Finance Director between 2021 and 2022). He served as Principal at responsAbility Investments in Nairobi, where he focused on agricultural debt in Africa. His inspiration to make such a transformative change in career and life comes from the infectious passion of the Cajou Espoir’s founders and especially François Locoh-Donou. Under Jérôme’s leadership, Cajou Espoir emphasizes sustainability, social responsibility, and scaling the company’s impact.

“It may sound biased, but I truly admire the depth of Cajou Espoir’s impact in Togo. It covers the full value chain i.e. from our technical and financial support to smallholder farmers, to hundreds of jobs created in rural areas, as well as value maximization generated by our international certifications. It’s quite simple, we calculated that our interactions with local farmers lead to a 100% increase in their revenues (mainly achieved via higher yields per hectare, organic and fair trade premiums, etc). Similarly, for each kilo processed by Cajou Espoir, we double the financial added value that stays in Togo (mainly in the form of salaries, services, taxes, etc). This is concrete value creation from an agricultural product that is unfortunately too often exported without processing, a toxic pattern impoverishing Africa which we fight everyday by doing what we do. “ said Jérôme.

Enriching communities

Smallholder farmers’ life in Togo is a constant struggle to make ends meet, their products fetching meagre prices in an unpredictable market. With the Cajou Espoir’s support, they are transitioning to organic farming, seeing their yields increase and getting a security net that makes their lives a bit easier. The guaranteed market and fair prices offered by Cajou Espoir have brought stability to their life and hope for their children’s future. The company reinvests in local communities, funding projects like medical clinics and daycare centres. They improved access to education through the provision of school benches and daycare facilities, enhanced healthcare services with the construction of medical clinics and built better infrastructure and quality of life through village electrification. These initiatives have contributed to strengthening the social fabric of the communities.

Facing challenges with innovation and certification

Climate change poses a significant threat, with production of cashews dropping by 20 % – 30 % in 2024 due to adverse weather conditions. Rising raw cashew nut prices and global competition add to the challenges.

On top of that, Cajou Espoir faces numerous challenges such as price volatility in the global cashew market, unfair competition from foreign buyers grasping Togolese raw cashew nuts, the absence of concrete measures protecting local processing companies and the need for advanced certifications to meet international standards.

“It is quite frustrating to see 90% of Togo’s raw cashew nuts production being exported without processing by foreign traders while our local processing units are operating well below capacity.” 

One of the ways used by Cajou Espoir to address these issues was its transition towards fully organic and Fairtrade production.

Yet, Cajou Espoir continues to innovate. They’re investing in automation to increase efficiency without sacrificing jobs. A recent €3 million investment from EDFI Management Company’s – EU funded initiative – AgriFI supports their transition to 100% organic production and fund the development of their own plantations to hedge against price volatility.

Cajou Espoir, established in 2004 in Togo, is a leading cashew processing company with a strong focus on sustainability, organic production, and community development. It has the capacity to process approximately 15% of Togo’s annual cashew production and operates two facilities in Tchamba and Blitta. The company sources raw cashew nuts from over 1,500 smallholder farmers, who are organic-certified through Cajou Espoir’s training programs.

One of their most exciting initiatives is a beekeeping program. By introducing beehives to cashew farms, they’re improving pollination and yields, and providing farmers with an additional source of income.

Cajou Espoir become the first BRCGS-certified company in Togo for food safety in January 2023.  They also hold organic (Ecocert) and Fairtrade (Flocert) certifications. They’ve implemented measures to ensure quality control and mitigate food safety risks at both processing factories. However, maintaining these certifications presents its own set of challenges, particularly when working with smallholder farmers who may struggle with the complex documentation required. The company’s support in this process is crucial but must navigate the fine line between assistance and maintaining the objectivity required for certification

A vision for the future

As we look to the future, Cajou Espoir’s story is one of passion to support Togo by bringing sustainable transformation. It’s an example to what’s possible when business acumen meets social responsibility. François Locoh-Donou, the President and Co-Founder of Cajou Espoir shares his vision for Cajou Espoir:

“Cajou Espoir will continue to fight the status quo within its value chain. Significant projects are underway such as the cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) extratction unit, the apiculture program and the expansion of our plantations. Cajou Espoir will continue acting as a pioneer with a clear focus on local job creation and the improvement of living conditions for thousands of Togolese. “

The next time you enjoy a handful of cashews, remember its journey. By buying cashews from African origins, we directly contribute to local processing. Through companies like Cajou Espoir, we can all play a part in supporting sustainable, equitable agriculture that nourishes both body and soul.

[1] In 2024, 700 people worked for Cajou Espoir but the factories have been running 8 months only, instead of 12. This is because of climate change and bad crops but also due to the unfair competition from foreign buyers. It is expected that 2025 will be back to normal.