Swiss Chocolate Made in Togo Aims to Revolutionize Fair Trade

A Swiss company, Gebana, is bringing chocolate production to Togo in a bid to create fairer profits for cocoa farmers. Gebana has launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund a factory that will make Swiss-style chocolate in West Africa. The project, named 'Swiss chocolate made in Togo', aims to keep half the value of production within Togo itself—far more than the current industry standard.

The initiative has already raised over 360,000 Swiss francs of its 500,000-franc crowdfunding goal. The total cost of setting up production stands at around 1.2 million francs, with Gebana covering the remaining expenses once fundraising concludes.

West Africa supplies roughly 70% of the world's processed cocoa, yet only 10–15% of chocolate sales revenue remains in the region. By moving part of the production chain to Togo, Gebana hopes to reverse this imbalance. The project is also expected to create skilled jobs and boost long-term economic opportunities in one of the world's poorest countries.

Gebana's approach focuses on fairness and sustainability. Keeping 50% of the value chain in Togo would mark a significant shift from current practices in the chocolate industry.

The factory's launch could reshape how cocoa profits are shared in West Africa. With strong crowdfunding support and a clear focus on local benefits, the project aims to set a new standard for ethical chocolate production. If successful, it may encourage similar efforts across the region.