Wa, (UW/R), April 10, — A new impact study has identified the Cashew Master Training Programme (MTP) as a strong catalyst for socio-economic transformation in West Africa’s cashew sector, particularly in job creation, entrepreneurship, and value chain development.
The findings, contained in a statement by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and based on research conducted by the Management for Development Foundation (MDF), show that the programme has trained 1,344 experts across 20 countries since 2013. Many of these beneficiaries are now playing active roles in transforming the sector.
The study further revealed that 73 new businesses have been established as a direct result of the training, underscoring the programme’s contribution to enterprise development and local economic growth.
It highlighted a notable success story in Benin, where a former trainee progressed from a technical role to establishing a large-scale cashew processing factory, which now employs more than 600 workers, the majority of whom are women.
On gender inclusion, the report indicated that 43.8 per cent of the businesses created were led by women, with several female participants reporting improved confidence in leadership and decision-making roles.
In addition, 53.5 per cent of graduates said they had transferred knowledge and skills to others within their communities, expanding the programme’s wider impact beyond direct beneficiaries.
The report also cited examples of community-level influence, including a graduate in Tanzania who trained over 1,000 farmers, 200 traders, and 300 trainers, while in Côte d’Ivoire, alumni have contributed to research and policy development at institutions such as the Centre National de Recherche Agronomique (CNRA).
In Ghana, the programme has supported small and medium-scale enterprises and encouraged the adoption of improved local processing technologies within the cashew industry.
Stakeholders involved in the study described the Master Training Programme as unique for its combination of technical capacity building and personal development, which has enhanced both skills and entrepreneurial mindset among participants.
While GIZ facilitated the programme for a decade, the African Cashew Alliance has taken over implementation in recent years and is now leading efforts to scale up its impact.
The Alliance has indicated plans to transition the initiative into a fully private-sector-driven model, with calls for stronger collaboration between private investors and development partners to ensure sustainability and expansion.
The programme is co-funded by the European Union, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development under the Business Support Facility for Resilient Agricultural Value Chains.
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