In the cocoa-growing region of Soubré, in south-western Côte d'Ivoire, plantations stretch as far as the eye can see. Behind this landscape, however, lay a growing concern: unpredictable rainfall, constantly deteriorating soil and increasingly unstable yields. Climate change was therefore no longer a distant threat, but a daily reality.
To address this situation, the Adaptation Fund's Cocoa Resilience Project is helping farmers rethink their agricultural practices. Supported by the African Development Bank Group, through US$500,000 in funding from the African Climate Change Fund (FCCA), this pilot project, which has been running since 2024, receives technical support from the Center for International Forestry Research and the World Agroforestry Centre (CIFOR-ICRAF), in collaboration with the Government of Côte d'Ivoire.
In the Soubré plantations, the changes are already visible. Shade trees are being integrated into cocoa production systems to reduce heat stress and restore soil fertility. Simple irrigation techniques enable farmers to cope with longer periods of drought, whilst crop diversification reduces their exposure to climate risks and market fluctuations. These practices allow them to better manage risks whilst safeguarding their productivity and incomes.
Communities at the heart of the transition
At the heart of this transformation are local communities, particularly women. Thanks to the 'Association of Solidarity and Dynamic Women of Kragui,' women farmers have access to knowledge, tools and support, enabling them to adapt their farming practices.
"We have learnt to diversify our crops and manage our farms more effectively. This helps us cope with climate change and secure our incomes," explains Gohou Assiata Bamba. She adds: "We now understand the importance of shade trees. Where there are no trees, cocoa does not survive, but when they are preserved, it thrives. Today, we are planting more trees, developing nurseries and growing food crops alongside cocoa, which increases our income and strengthens our self-reliance."
By taking on an increasing role in cocoa production and decision-making, women are not only strengthening household resilience but also promoting economic inclusion within their communities.
Mobilising climate finance for adaptation
Unlike traditional mechanisms that focus primarily on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, this approach recognises and values adaptation efforts - actions that have historically been difficult to measure and support through climate finance.
"Climate conditions are becoming increasingly difficult, and cocoa-producing countries in West Africa face similar challenges," explains Amani Kouassi, a climate change specialist at CIFOR-ICRAF. "This initiative is part of a broader approach that combines technical, environmental and social solutions to make cocoa production more resilient. It is essential that these solutions can be replicated wherever cocoa is grown."
The Adaptation Finance Facility is the first cooperative, non-market-based approach established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to support adaptation under Article 6.8 of the Paris Agreement. It translates climate resilience actions into measurable, reportable and verifiable adaptation benefits, thereby helping to attract public and private investment.
Scaling up climate finance and replicating impacts at scale
For the African Development Bank Group, this initiative goes far beyond a simple pilot project. It represents a new way of financing, structuring and rolling out adaptation actions across Africa on a large scale.
"Funding for adaptation remains largely insufficient in Africa," emphasises Garrett Phillips, Head of Division for Environment and Climate Finance at the Bank. "This project demonstrates that adaptation actions can be structured, measured and valued."
The initial results are encouraging. Farming practices are improving, farmers' capacities are being strengthened and resilience is increasing at the farm level.
By 2025, the mechanism had gained international recognition following its presentation at major global climate events and negotiations. It has since become a credible climate finance instrument, paving the way for large-scale deployment. Collaboration with the Government of Côte d'Ivoire and national institutions, particularly the cocoa sector authorities, is helping to create favourable conditions for future investment and wider adoption.
The ambition is now to scale up. What is being piloted today in Côte d'Ivoire could become a model for other cocoa-producing countries in West Africa, where agriculture remains particularly vulnerable to climate change.
Building a future for climate-resilient agriculture
For farmers like Charles Yao Yao, one of more than 400 small-scale cocoa farmers directly supported by the project, adaptation is a gradual but essential process.
"We understand that we need to change our practices. But that takes time, resources and ongoing support," he explains. "If we don't adapt, we won't be able to continue farming as we did before," says Yao Yao.
In Soubré, the project's results demonstrate that it is not only possible to build climate-resilient agriculture, but that this transformation is already underway. By combining climate-smart farming practices, community empowerment and innovative financing mechanisms, the project is laying the foundations for a more resilient cocoa sector.
Beyond Côte d'Ivoire, this initiative offers a replicable model for transforming agriculture across West Africa, linking local actions to global climate commitments and opening up new avenues for adaptation funding.
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