The fight against child labor:  The First Lady, Mrs Dominique Ouattara, exchanges views with the Managing Director of Nestle Côte d’Ivoire

Mrs Dominique Ouattara, First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire, received Mr. Mohamed Itani, Managing Director of Nestle Côte d’Ivoire, this Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at her Cocody office.

Accompanied by Mrs Mame Pane Sakho, Director of Communications, and Mr Luc Affoli, Head of the Cocoa Plan project, Mr Itani made this courtesy visit, 18 months after taking up his post at the head of the multinational in Côte d’Ivoire.

During the meeting, discussions focused on the fight against child labor in cocoa farming, a scourge to which Côte d’Ivoire has been committed for many years. The First Lady, in her capacity as President of the National Oversight Committee (CNS), praised Nestle’s efforts in implementing the Cocoa Plan, the company’s flagship project aimed at improving cocoa traceability and farmers’ working conditions, while eradicating child labor.

Mr. Mohamed Itani congratulated Mrs. Ouattara on her ongoing commitment to children and vulnerable families through the Children Of Africa Foundation. He also expressed Nestlé’s desire to continue working closely with the Ivorian authorities to reinforce actions aimed at protecting children and promoting more responsible agriculture.

This audience once again testifies to the determination of public and private players to combine their efforts to improve living conditions in rural areas, particularly in the cocoa sector, which holds a predominant place in the Ivorian economy.