Côte d’Ivoire creates research institute to strengthen coffee and cocoa sectors
Côte d’Ivoire has approved the creation of a new research institute dedicated to coffee and cocoa, seeking to strengthen the scientific capacity behind two of the country’s key agricultural commodities.
The Council of Ministers approved the creation of the Institute of Coffee and Cocoa, known as I2C, on Sept. 23, 2026. The government says the institute will provide a research environment equipped with advanced technologies, highly specialised scientists and a network linking national universities, regional centres of excellence and international organisations.
The institute will be established at the research station of the National Agronomic Research Centre, or CNRA, in Divo. The site already contains gene banks and mature experimental plots dedicated to coffee and cocoa, providing an existing scientific base for the new institution.
The government said the I2C’s main mission will be to “take back the scientific initiative” on coffee and cocoa, with the aim of addressing competitiveness challenges and helping the sectors meet international market standards.
The institute is expected to focus on applied scientific research, including improving crop productivity and developing varieties that are more resistant to diseases and the effects of climate change, according to government spokesman Amadou Coulibaly.
The initiative comes as Côte d’Ivoire seeks to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of its agricultural production while responding to changing conditions in international markets.
The country is also facing growing requirements around the traceability and sustainability of agricultural commodities. Côte d’Ivoire’s coffee and cocoa regulator said in September that its national traceability system was operational, as the sector adapts to international requirements for supply-chain transparency.
By locating the I2C at the CNRA’s Divo research station, the government will be able to build on existing genetic resources and experimental facilities while developing a broader network of scientific cooperation.
The creation of the institute marks a renewed emphasis on research and innovation as tools for improving the quality, productivity and resilience of Côte d’Ivoire’s coffee and cocoa sectors.
