Ivorian entrepreneur and master chocolatier Viviane Kouamé is leveraging her country's global leadership role in cocoa production and years spent in Europe to build her "Made in Africa" dream.
by Yakubu Messeni, bird story agency
Inside a humming workshop in Abidjan, black-gloved hands move with rhythmic precision, sorting through mounds of roasted beans. Behind industrial machines and stainless steel vats, a master artisan leans over a workstation, her chef’s collar stitched with the national colours of Côte d’Ivoire. Only as the machines begin to pour does the true scale of this transformation become clear, as the raw harvest finally melts into thick, glossy ribbons and gold-painted squares.
At her location on Rue Sol-Béni in Riviera 3, a bustling area of Abidjan's Cocody district, Viviane Kouamé is hard at work in the workshop she founded in 2021. From the heavy, sweet scent, there is only one thing she could possibly be doing: making chocolate.
Everything about the Chocovi workshop speaks of a combination of passion and expertise. While the scent of freshly processed cocoa floats through the air, the enterprise offers the story of a woman determined to transform locally available raw materials into local wealth.
Kouamé, an Ivoirian entrepreneur and master artisanal chocolatier, is the driving force behind the company she founded with a mission to enhance the value of Ivoirian cocoa through end-to-end processing, from bean to bar.
Born to a farming family, Viviane perfected her craft in Europe—specifically in Alsace, France and Italy—before returning to invest in Côte d’Ivoire to produce premium-quality chocolate. Her work has been recognised by several national and international awards, including the National Award of Excellence for Best Artisan, international medals, and the prestigious Tablettes d’Or. She has also been named an ambassador for "Made in Côte d’Ivoire", promoting local craftsmanship in international markets.
Inside the workshop, she explains her vision: "We have been the leading cocoa producer for almost 40 years, since 1978-1979. Our production was initially destined for the international market. Today, we are the leading processor, and our national policy is to move towards processing more than 50% of what we produce. We account for 40% of global production, representing 40% of the world's cocoa supply. And today, we want to be able to process that in Côte d'Ivoire."
She emphasises a unique advantage: "From the plantation to the finished product, for me, that is an asset. Most of those who process chocolate in Europe do not have the chance to be born and live in the leading producing country, to have the ability to own a plantation, or to directly impact production. I believe that is our added value."
For Viviane Kouamé, the social dimension is at the heart of her commitment. She works with local agricultural cooperatives, participates in sustainable replanting and training projects, and is involved in the professional education of young people. Her goal is to create an inspiring model for new generations.
"I would like to serve as a role model for younger people, to help them understand that we can achieve our dreams. You have to believe in it; it’s not easy, but you must believe. When you believe, you can succeed. So today, it’s about continuing to work to be a model and remain a model."
This influence is felt directly by her employees. Koreki Ange, an assistant and cashier at Chocovi, describes Viviane’s impact on her own career:
"My founder had a profound impact on me. Professionally, she taught me confidence and perseverance. She instilled in me discipline, courage, and a sense of experience. Thanks to her, I have grown with greater confidence and progress."
Viviane’s efforts are part of a broader momentum. Obed Blondé Doua, 3rd Vice-President and spokesperson for the Coffee-Cocoa Agricultural Interprofessional Organisation (OIA) in Côte d’Ivoire, highlights the importance of women's involvement in the sector:
"The work is being done daily by the Ivorian government. I would even say that laws are being passed to ensure equity in the representation of women in all sectors. Particularly in the cocoa sector, they are certainly fewer in number, but they are still present. I believe that efforts are being made by women."
Chocovi is not limited to production. The company is becoming a symbol of economic empowerment for Ivorian women, demonstrating that cocoa can be a powerful lever for local development.
Viviane Kouamé brilliantly illustrates how passion, expertise, and social commitment can converge to transform an entire industry. In the Riviera 3 workshop, chocolate is more than a product: it is a story of excellence, legacy and inspiration. Each bar tells the journey of a woman who chose to believe in her country, its resources and its youth. And through this model, an entire sector and a generation can dream bigger.
