In essence, the programme rewards cocoa-farming families for practices that benefit the environment and local community by encouraging changes in behaviour and rewarding positive practices – both within the home and on the farm.
How have cocoa farming families been impacted in the past three years?
In a specially convened webinar on 25 June 2025, from 2.30 pm to 4 pm CEST, moderated by cocoaradar.com editor Tony Myers, Nestlé will provide an update on its progress, with news on key learnings and actions to continue advancing the programme’s ambitions.
You will hear from the following experts:
Oumou Diallo, Senior Advisor, Impact Economics, at KIT Institute, has assessed the impact of the Income Accelerator Programme and will suggest ways in which Nestlé can develop it further.
Faustin Menzan, one of the farmers participating in the income accelerator programme in Côte d’Ivoire, will share his honest feedback and experience.
Charles Tellier, CEO of So-B-Green, who is implementing the programme on the ground, will share his opinions on what worked and what can be improved.
Daan Wensing, CEO of IDH, leads the programme’s advisory committee and will provide his industry perspective.
Nathan Bello, Nestlé Cocoa Plan manager for the CWAR region
Stéphane Detaille, Nestlé - Global Sustainability Manager Confectionery
Attendees will be able to post questions to speakers throughout the event. The session will be run in English and French.
WHY INCOME ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME?
- Launched in 2020 in Côte d’Ivoire, targeting the living income gap and child labour risks.
- Expanded to 10,000 families in 2023, with plans for Ghana in 2024.
- Third-party assessment by KIT Royal Tropical Institute highlights challenges like poverty, climate risks, and lack of education.
How does the programme work?
- Innovative approach to improve livelihoods and tackle child labour risks.
- Families can earn up to €500 in bonuses for meeting targets, reducing to €250 thereafter.
- Payments delivered via mobile money, promoting gender equality.
Who are partners?
- Collaboration with International Cocoa Initiative, Sustainable Trade Initiative, Rainforest Alliance, local cooperatives, and governments.
- Programme monitored by KIT Royal Tropical Institute.
Need to know
- 47% of household heads are illiterate; 54% of women are disempowered.
- 73% of the population depends on cocoa sales; the living income gap is US$3,660.
What does the programme reward?
- Rewards for quality and quantity of cocoa, school enrollment, good agricultural practices, agroforestry, and diversified incomes.
- Families can earn up to €500 per year for engaging in incentivised practices.
What activities have been implemented so far?
- €2 million in incentives distributed since January 2022.
- 99% of households with children enrolled in school; 94% of targeted pruning achieved.
- 210,570 trees planted, exceeding targets; 99% enrollment in Village Savings Loan Associations.
School enrollment
- Aim to reduce child labour risks by incentivising school attendance.
- 98% of registered children enrolled in school; 8 percentage point increase in enrollment rates.
Good agricultural practices
- Aim to improve cocoa production sustainably through pruning.
- 1341 hectares pruned, leading to a 20% increase in average yield.
Agroforestry
- 20,000 shade tree seedlings distributed; 92% of families planted trees.
- Promotes resilience and biodiversity in cocoa farming.
Diversified incomes
- Encourages families to grow other crops and raise livestock.
- 24 new Village Savings Loan Associations established; 86% family participation.
Way forward
- Programme shows promising results; aims to triple size by 2024.
- Focus on streamlining processes and maximizing impact before a global rollout.
- Nestlé income accelerator program: Annual Progress Report webinar: 25 June 2025, from 2.30 pm to 4 pm CEST. Register here.
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