Africa plays a critical role in the global cashew industry, contributing over 50% of the world’s production. The African Cashew Alliance (ACA) projects that production in Africa will reach around 57% by 2024, with major contributions from countries like Tanzania, Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Mozambique. These nations have utilized cashew nuts, often referred to as “grey gold,” to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and alleviate poverty.
In 2022, West Africa produced approximately 1.8 million tons of cashew nuts, and Ghana exemplifies this growth trajectory. The country increased its production from about 12,000 tons in 2005 to around 200,000 tons by 2022 .
Women and young people in the cashew industry encounter systemic barriers, including limited access to resources and decision-making power, which hampers their ability to benefit fully from the sector. To address these challenges, it is crucial for governments, development organizations, and the private sector to implement targeted interventions. Strategies should focus on empowering women and youth, enhancing infrastructure, promoting local processing, and developing gender-transformative capacity-building programs. Additionally, addressing climate change impacts on cashew production is essential for creating a more resilient and sustainable cashew value chain in West Africa.