Strengthening Cooperative Governance in Côte d’Ivoire’s Artisanal Gold Sector

The planetGOLD Côte d’Ivoire project team is meeting with artisanal mining cooperatives across the country to build their capacity to support a responsible artisanal gold sector.

The artisanal gold mining sector in the country is currently at an important turning point. Artisanal mining cooperatives are major contributors in moving towards formalization and ensuring the sector’s sustainability. Ensuring these cooperatives are introducing good governance practices is key to their economic viability and their contribution to local development.

The Ivorian legal framework allows applicants for artisanal mining permits to form cooperatives in accordance with the OHADA Uniform Act on Cooperatives. This approach aims to promote a more transparent and inclusive economic model.

In practice, artisanal mining cooperatives today face many challenges structuring themselves effectively. Their training and capacity needs are varied: they must both meet legal obligations and adopt the principles of good governance and responsible trade. At the same time, access to finance is essential to enable artisanal mining actors to equip themselves with mercury-free technologies.

However, to be eligible for this financing, local cooperatives must demonstrate sound governance and rigorous financial management.

A recent assessment by the planetGOLD Côte d’Ivoire project found that many cooperatives and their bylaws aren’t aligned with best practices, including values of democracy, equality, and solidarity. These values ensure successful and inclusive groups, where members are treated as collective owners of the cooperative.

For example, one cooperative the team met with exists as a cooperative in name only. With no members and all management responsibility falling to one person—the president. This cooperative highlights the challenges to ensure groups understand the cooperative model and how they should function, both on paper and in practice.

In March 2024, the planetGOLD team travelled to meet with three artisanal mining cooperatives to better understand their difficulties and identify opportunities to strengthen their governance:

the ESSOUAN Gold cooperative in Abouakakro (Bonikro sub-prefecture, Djékanou department, Bélier region)
the Frères de Bidiala Bobosso cooperative (Dabakala department, Hambol region)
the Wobêh cooperative in Pétonkaha (Kiémou sub-prefecture, Korhogo department, Poro region)
Across all three communities, the planetGOLD Côte d’Ivoire team found the cooperatives and artisanal gold miners eager to improve their practices—not just from a mining perspective, but with regards to their internal governance. The planetGOLD project will support the cooperatives as they revise their bylaws, improve membership management, build governance capacity, as well as formalize.

There is a common understanding that cooperatives need to take steps to become more professional and financially sustainable to unlock financing opportunities. Once cooperatives become eligible for financing, investments can be made to improve mining practices, leading to new markets. Importantly, this support from the planetGOLD Côte d’Ivoire project ensures that not only legal requirements are met, but also that the artisanal gold sector can become a driver for sustainable, economic development across the country.

The planetGOLD Cote d’Ivoire project is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by UN Environment Programme (UNEP). It is executed by IMPACT and the Centre Africaine pour la Santé et l’Environnement (CASE).

July 7, 2025

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Zandile Nozinhle Matiwaza as Senior Associate at NCA AgriVest, where she will bring her wealth of experience and strategic leadership to strengthen our agricultural investment and cooperative development initiatives in South Africa and beyond.

Zandile is a seasoned executive with a proven track record across agribusiness, finance, and enterprise development. With a Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Management and progress towards her Chartered Financial Analyst designation, she combines technical expertise with visionary leadership. From her early days supplying agricultural inputs across the SADC region to governments and private stakeholders, to her executive roles shaping investment-ready supply chains, Zandile has demonstrated a deep commitment to building Africa’s food systems and strengthening rural livelihoods.

Her experience as Business Development Director at Innovatec Africa saw her nurture over 1,000 businesses from start-up to market, while her leadership as CEO of Kingdom Business Network and CFO of Goldstone & Co. positioned her at the forefront of financing and distributing agricultural products across Southern Africa. As Co-Founder and Vice President of Africa Grain and Seed, she has championed smart rural agriculture ecosystems, bringing together governments, suppliers, growers, financiers, and logistics providers to build sustainable farming models.

Zandile also holds key international roles, including Co-Chairperson of the BRICS WBA Agricultural Working Group, Advisor at Kampay, SADC Ambassador for Coding Africa, and International Relations Chairperson for the Circle of Global Business Women. Her footprint of influence spans Malawi, South Africa, South Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, where she has contributed significantly to food security, agricultural transformation, and women’s economic empowerment.

At NCA AgriVest, Zandile will play a pivotal role in driving strategic investment into cooperative agriculture, expanding market access for farmers, and building resilient value chains that align with our mission to transform rural livelihoods and strengthen South Africa’s cooperative economy. Her passion for empowering youth and women, alongside her extensive networks across Africa and global markets, will be instrumental in positioning AgriVest as a leader in sustainable agribusiness investment.

We warmly welcome Zandile to the NCA AgriVest team and look forward to the impact she will make as we continue to build a stronger, more inclusive cooperative agricultural sector for South Africa and the region.

ZIMBABWE has unveiled a robust US$1,4 billion agricultural investment package to global financiers, targeting seven high-impact value chains as the country positions itself to meet domestic needs and secure lucrative export markets.

The pitch was made at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Dakar, Senegal, where Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, said the thrust is anchored on the Zimbabwe Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy (AFSRTS).

The country has identified 42 agricultural value chains but narrowed down its pitch to seven priority areas for targeted impact—blueberries, dairy, beef, maize, sunflowers, soyabeans and poultry.

We are in Dakar, Senegal, where we are meeting investors in agriculture. As Zimbabwe, we have our investment pitch anchored on the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy (AFSRTS).

“We are saying Zimbabwe is open to develop these value chains to fulfil internal requirements and also for exports. The total package of US$1,4 billion has been pitched to ensure that we develop these value chains,” Prof Jiri said.

According to the Zimbabwe Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Investment Roadmap (ZAFSRTIR), sector-specific requirements include maize (US$468 million), soyabeans (US$403 million), sunflower (US$251,9 million), blueberry (US$23,7 million), beef (US$45,2 million), dairy (US$71,4 million), eggs (US$15,1 million) and broilers (US$143,3 million).

Source: https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/zimbabwe-unveils-us1-4-billion-agricultural-investment-package/

The Heroooes Foods Hub is happy to tell amakhenza amahle that Coach Dumisani Mlangeni has started a youth economic empowement drive around Soweto, starting in White City.

He is currently coaching young people from eKhenza on how to operate food businesses, instead of them waiting for jobs that may not come.

After they have undergone the training at Heroooes Foods Hub (at Mphuthi shops in Dlamini) these young people will be provided with machinery and equipments which they will then use to start businesses selling kotas, magwinya, etc.

The Heroooes Foods Hub is looking for suppliers of atchaar, potatoes, and other products used in the making of magwinya, kotas, etc.

Potential suppliers must send pictures (not more than 5) to 081 521 8080. This offer closes on 30 August 2025.

Regards

Mphuthi MPHUTHI (Mr.)
Chief Servant @
Heroooes Foods Hub &
Soweto Business Access

The Defe Foods Processing and Packaging Plant is designed as a multi-line agro-processing facility equipped to handle a diverse range of crops and livestock products. The sunflower oil line will include seed cleaning machines, oil expellers, filtration units, and automated bottling equipment. For maize meal, hammer mills, dehullers, sifters, and packaging machines will be installed to produce both super and roller meal. Sugar beans will be processed using grading, cleaning, drying, and vacuum-packing units to ensure quality and shelf life. The beef and fish sections will incorporate cold storage rooms, meat processing equipment such as deboners, mincers, sausage fillers, and vacuum sealing systems, all linked to a cold chain distribution network.

The plant’s design emphasizes efficiency, food safety, and sustainability. Energy-efficient motors and solar power integration will reduce reliance on the national grid, while water recycling systems will minimize waste in cleaning and processing operations. Packaging lines will prioritize biodegradable and recyclable materials where possible, supporting environmentally responsible distribution. Waste from oilseed pressing, maize milling, and livestock processing will be converted into by-products such as animal feed and organic fertilizer, creating a circular economy that maximizes resource use.

By combining modern agro-processing technology with environmentally conscious design, the Defe Foods Processing and Packaging Plant will not only increase the value of local farm produce but also serve as a model of sustainable rural industrialization.

Suzan Nthangeni, Executive Mayor of the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, presided over the opening ceremony and warmly welcomed guests. She urged the youth and women to capitalise on business opportunities presented by the blue economy and participate in government and small business initiatives. "Cooperatives should overcome fear and demonstrate their ability to thrive in the business world, having surmounted various forms of prejudice, and seize opportunities to fully engage with the mainstream economy while expanding their skills."

Attending the International Co-operatives Day (ICD) 2025 at Sun City Resort was truly a remarkable experience. The gathering of cooperators from across South Africa and beyond created an atmosphere of unity, innovation, and determination for the future of the cooperative movement. The discussions, presentations, and networking sessions showcased not only the achievements made so far but also the limitless potential of cooperatives in addressing social and economic challenges. Being part of this historic event gave me renewed optimism about the direction of our cooperative movement and the role we all play in shaping it.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the planning and organization of ICD 2025. Working closely with the DSBD team was a privilege, and I extend my heartfelt appreciation to them for their excellent work in ensuring that every aspect of the event was well executed. Their professionalism, dedication, and collaborative spirit were instrumental in making the event a success. I also wish to thank my National Co-operative Agency team making our ICD 2025 into a memorable trip.

Looking ahead to 2026, I am filled with confidence that the cooperative movement in South Africa will continue to grow stronger. With the same collaboration between government, supporting agencies, and cooperators that we witnessed in 2025, we are well-positioned to make an even greater impact. Together, we can build on the foundation we have laid, foster deeper partnerships, and ensure that cooperatives play a central role in advancing inclusive economic development.

Confederation of Southern African Co-operative Federations Summit in Mozambique

R50 000 STOCK ADVANCE FOR ATTENDEES

Today was the beginning of new chapter for ALL OF US!!!

Each and every person from White City Jabavu who attended today is going to be given stock worth R20 000 that they will provide to outlets, pensioners and events from around Khenza on behalf of SBA Asinavalo and Kasi Economic Warriors, guided by Ntate Mike Molloyi.

Pensioners who attended today will be formed into a cooperative with the help of the Joburg Cooperative Forum, guided by Ousi Rose Nkutha.

That cooperative will be provided with stock worth R50 000 to supply events organised churches, sports, schools, etc.

Tsele General Dealer is the first collection point for all the stock from White City Jabavu.

Ousi Nomonde will help set up systems for us to monitor progress, for a percentage of the sales. Mme Tsotetsi will do the same with pensioners.

Linda Mathetha will be help with organising and supplying events with stock from participating outlets.

People that attended from Mofolo, Meadowlands and all other areas will be the champions of opening Asinavalo in their areas. They will each get R50 000 stock advance in association with Batsumi from Khenza.

Other announcements will be made in the next 24 hours.

If you manufacture and or supply any foodstuffs and want your products to be included in these groceries, you must be part of the Suppliers Circle.

If you have a spaza and want stock, simply Whatsapp R50 000 to 081 521 8080.

Mphuthi MPHUTHI (Mr.)
Chief Servant @
SBA Asinavalo