Cameroon has won the gold medal in the Africa and Indian Ocean category at the 10th edition of the Cocoa of Excellence Awards, held on February 20, 2026, in Amsterdam, alongside the Cocoa Trade Fair. According to the Ministry of Trade, this award recognizes a sample of cocoa beans presented by the cocoa production and marketing cooperative of Kyé-Ossi, located in the South region.
The competition brought together 191 samples from 45 cocoa-producing countries. This Cameroonian performance follows the bronze medal obtained at the 2023 edition of the same competition, demonstrating a constant improvement in the quality of Cameroonian cocoa on the international stage. Judges described the winning cocoa as a remarkable example of fine-flavor cocoa, highlighting the balance between natural conditions and cultivation practices. The winning sample, number 167, represented cocoa grown in southern Cameroon.
Cameroonian authorities attribute this success to the efforts made in recent years to improve the quality of cocoa production. This strategy has resulted in the establishment of post-harvest processing centers of excellence in the main production areas, with the aim of producing "zero defect" beans. A quality bonus has also been introduced to encourage producers to adopt international standards.
In June 2023, Cameroon joined the circle of "fine cocoa" producers, joining Ghana, during a meeting of the panel of experts of the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) in Antananarivo, Madagascar. According to the Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, this recognition was previously reserved for South American countries. The gold medal obtained in Amsterdam is the third international award won by the Cameroonian cocoa-coffee sector in the space of two weeks. From February 4 to 6, 2026, Cameroonian roasters were also awarded prizes at the African Taste of Harvest 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Cocoa is a major pillar of Cameroonian exports, with revenues exceeding 1,000 billion FCFA in 2024. This new distinction reinforces the strategic importance of upgrading this sector for the country's economy.
