Bla ni Agba project: Empowering women to lead sustainable transformation of agri-food systems
In the Gbêkê region of Côte d’Ivoire, we’re working alongside our Ivorian and international partners to strengthen the economic role of women in the cassava sector. Our aim is to expand their access to financial services, training and agricultural solutions that will help them adapt to climate change and build more resilient operations.
Among them is Camara Assetou, an agricultural entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in food-crop production. A founding member of the Réseau des Femmes Actives de Côte d’Ivoire (RFACI), which brings together Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLAs), she plays a key role in advancing recognition of women’s economic contribution to the sector. Her leadership reflects the vital role women play in driving sustainable change that strengthens both their families and their communities.
“The support provided by the project has enabled our members to make significant progress in a very short time. They now know where to plant cassava, the appropriate spacing and which types of cuttings to use. Thanks to functional literacy and financial education, they’ve also become more independent in managing their businesses. We hope this project can be extended to other communities, as the need is great everywhere,” emphasizes Camara Assetou.
Boosting economic empowerment, climate resilience and entrepreneurial skills
“Through the Bla ni Agba project, funded by the Government of Canada, we’re working to strengthen the economic empowerment, climate resilience and entrepreneurial skills of women cassava producers, processors and traders in the Gbêkê region. These elements are essential to boosting their productivity, increasing their income and enhancing their contribution to food security,” adds Malick Seye, Project Manager.
The project also promotes the use of improved cassava varieties, the adoption of good agricultural practices, the development of women’s leadership and the strengthening of local organizations to foster inclusion, social cohesion and peace.
Backed by Global Affairs Canada, the project welcomed a visit from Canada’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Sandra Choufani, in February 2026.
Objective: support 1,800 women in the cassava industry
Since its launch, the project has intensified its consultation, awareness and training activities with all key parties, including local authorities, community leaders, financial institutions, women’s organizations and producer groups.
Discussions mainly centred around:
- Sustainable access to land for women
- Climate change adaptation strategies
- Strengthening entrepreneurial skills
- Developing innovative financial mechanisms tailored to the needs of women in the cassava value chain
Maintaining close collaboration with local authorities remains essential to the success of the project.
Results achieved as of December 31, 2025
Among the major advances achieved in just one year of activity is the establishment of farmer field schools, which were previously reserved for men. This approach now offers women a genuine platform for empowerment.
Enhancing agricultural practices
- 10 field schools established
- 290 women producers trained in good agricultural practices
Mobilizing communities and improving land access
- 340 people (including land authorities and community leaders) informed about women’s sustainable access to land
Advancing women’s skills
- 469 women received training in functional literacy and financial education
Improved access to financing
- 4 financial products tailored to women’s needs launched by 2 partner financial institutions and promoted to 423 women
- 2 financial instruments implemented:
- An economic support fund for the purchase of small equipment
- A guarantee mechanism to help share credit risk with financial institutions
The Bla ni Agba project is implemented in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada; the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Côte d’Ivoire; the Centre National de Recherche Agronomique (CNRA); the Agence Nationale d’Appui au Développement Rural (ANADER); Advans Côte d’Ivoire; the Plateforme de la Société Civile pour la Paix et la Démocratie (PSCPD) in Bouaké; CARE; UNACOOPEC; and the Réseau des Femmes Actives de Côte d’Ivoire (RFACI).