Côte d’Ivoire: Ivanka Trump pledges $2 million to support women working in cacao sector

Ivanka Trump, daughter and senior advisor to her father, US President Donald Trump, Wednesday committed to back with $2 million the fund for women in Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa industry as she visited a cocoa farm outside the Ivorian capital.

Ivanka Trump visited Cayat cooperative based around the towns of Adzopé and Yakassé-Attobrou in the South East of Côte d’Ivoire. She tasted raw cocoa and was informed about the hard work of women in the Western African’s cocoa industry.

“Thanks for allowing us to highlight a best-in-class example,” Ivanka Trump said after touring the farm.

The $2 billion aid to be granted by the USAID and private chocolate companies will benefit cooperatives, which constitute the major funding structures for women in the cocoa industry of the world leading cocoa producer.

The aid will enable the creation of 300 new cooperatives and boost the existing 500 ones.

Before coming to Côte d’Ivoire, Ivanka Trump visited Ethiopia to promote her father’s $50 million initiative enacted in February and that seeks to encourage women’s employment in developing countries.