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A chocolatier from Côte d’Ivoire, Viviane Kouamé, is positioning the West African country alongside other notable chocolate-producing countries through her brand, Chocovi.
Côte d’Ivoire is not just one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies; it is also the world’s largest cocoa producer, and Kouamé is leveraging its global leadership role in cocoa production to build her dream of a “Made in Africa” chocolate empire.
She perfected her chocolate-making craft in France and Italy, and returned home to pursue her passion and set up her workshop in Rue Sol-Béni in Riviera 3, a bustling area of Abidjan’s Cocody district.
Her work at Chocovi reflects a combination of passion and expertise. The enterprise offers the story of a woman determined to transform locally available raw materials into local wealth.
The Ivoirian entrepreneur and master artisanal chocolatier is the driving force behind the company she founded with a mission to enhance the value of Ivoirian cocoa through end-to-end processing, from bean to bar.
According to the chocolatier, Côte d’Ivoire accounts for 40% of global production, representing 40% of the world’s cocoa supply.
“We have been the leading cocoa producer for almost 40 years, since 1978-1979. Our production was initially destined for the international market. Today, we are the leading processor, and our national policy is to move towards processing more than 50% of what we produce. We account for 40% of global production, representing 40% of the world’s cocoa supply. And today, we want to be able to process that in Côte d’Ivoire,” Kouamé told Bird.
“From the plantation to the finished product—for me, that is an asset. Most of those who process chocolate in Europe do not have the chance to be born and live in the leading producing country, to have the ability to own a plantation, or to directly impact production. I believe that is our added value.”
Photo: Mel Akoi, bird Story agency.
But Kouamé is not only promoting local chocolate craftsmanship, but also wants to be a model for Ivoirian youth, showing them they can achieve their dreams.
“You have to believe in it; it’s not easy, but you must believe. When you believe, you can succeed. So today, it’s about continuing to work to be a model and remain a model,” she added.
Her success with the brand is impacting her employees. Koreki Ange, an assistant and cashier at Chocovi, said Kouamé has had a profound impact on her. Ange told Bird that Kouamé has taught her confidence and perseverance and instilled in her discipline, courage, and experience.
“Thanks to her, I have grown with greater confidence and progress,” said Ange.
Like Kouamé, other women also play active roles in improving Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa production. Obed Blondé Doua, the third Vice-President and spokesperson for the Coffee-Cocoa Agricultural Interprofessional Organisation (OIA) in Côte d’Ivoire, said the importance of women’s involvement in the sector can not be overemphasised.
“The work is being done daily by the Ivoirian government. I would even say that laws are being passed to ensure equity in the representation of women in all sectors. Particularly in the cocoa sector, they are certainly fewer in number, but they are still present. I believe that efforts are being made by women,” said Doua.
Chocovi is becoming a symbol of economic empowerment for Ivoirian women, demonstrating that cocoa can be a powerful lever for local development. Through it, Kouamé illustrates how passion, expertise, and social commitment can converge to transform an entire industry.
Yakubu Messeni, Bird Story Agency
