EBRD supports sustainable cashew value chains in Côte d’Ivoire

• EBRD lending up to US$ 60 million to Dorado
• Financing will support sustainable local sourcing and processing of cashew nuts in Côte d’Ivoire
• Project will also promote human capital development

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is strengthening agribusiness value chains in Côte d’Ivoire with a loan of up to US$ 60 million (€51 million) for Dorado.

This financing will support the company’s working capital needs, enabling its subsidiaries in Côte d’Ivoire to increase their sourcing of raw cashew nuts for local processing and export to international markets, thereby reinforcing domestic value addition, enhancing supply-chain resilience and supporting rural livelihoods.

Dorado operates one of the largest cashew processing facilities in Côte d’Ivoire and exports its products to Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia.

Structured as a sustainability-linked loan, this investment will enable Dorado to increase sustainably sourced cashews’ share of total production, as well as improving efficiency and traceability across its operations. It will also introduce climate-smart agricultural practices for its suppliers and establish a deforestation risk assessment framework aligned with international standards.

A technical cooperation package will support human capital development across the company’s workforce and supply chain, enhancing financial inclusion for smallholder farmers and strengthening supply-chain practices. This will include the certification of at least 10 cooperatives, covering a minimum of 4,000 farmers, under the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard, alongside the establishment of 20 village savings and loan associations (VSLAs) to improve access to finance and strengthen the resilience of rural communities.

Support will also extend to the company’s seasonal workforce, the majority of whom are women, helping to improve economic opportunities and financial literacy.

Côte d’Ivoire became an EBRD country of operation in 2025. The Bank’s work in the country focuses on supporting sustainable infrastructure, strengthening private-sector competitiveness and promoting green and inclusive economic growth.