On February 20, 2026, during the 10th edition of the Cacao of Excellence Awards in the Netherlands, sample No. 167 representing Cameroon was awarded the Gold Medal. This global distinction, achieved against 45 competing origins, positions the Cameroonian bean at the pinnacle of the "Fine and Flavour" premium markets.

Cameroonian agricultural excellence is shining on the international stage. Evaluated by a jury of sensory and industrial experts among 191 global samples, Cameroonian cocoa emerged victorious in the Africa & Indian Ocean category. This success is the result of a rigorous selection process led by the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (NCCB), which involved technical expertise of the batches at the Bioversity International laboratory in Rome.

At the heart of this victory is the SCCAPCC Cooperative Society of Kye-Osi, led by Mr. Atangana Onana François. Its mastery of post-harvest practices and trace ability allowed for the extraction of a complex aromatic profile judged exceptional by luxury chocolatiers. Following the bronze medal in 2023, this move to gold confirms the upward trajectory of "Origin Cameroon" quality, capable of rivaling the world’s finest terroirs.

A lever for labeling and specialty subcontracting

For the SPX-CMR, this gold medal is a powerful catalyst for high-value-added "Local Content." It paves the way for market segmentation where quality and authenticity allow producers to break free from volatile "commodity" cocoa prices.

"The gold in Amsterdam changes the perception of our global offering. For our processing SMEs and logistics service providers, this implies an immediate upgrade to maintain this image of excellence throughout the entire value chain," explains an international trade expert. This international recognition encourages new investments in traceability technologies and the technical structuring of cooperatives—areas where local subcontractors have a crucial role to play.

This achievement, in line with the High Instructions of the Head of State, demonstrates that sustainability and agronomic rigor are the keys to economic sovereignty. For the members of the Exchange, the success of Kye-Osi proves that operational excellence, when combined with the natural potential of the terroir, sustainably transforms qualitative performance into tangible financial advantages for all stakeholders in the sector.