ACA and AICA sign MoU to deepen Africa – India Cashew Sector Collaboration

The African Cashew Alliance (ACA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the All India Cashew Association (AICA) to strengthen cooperation, promote transparency and jointly address challenges within the cashew industry.

This MoU was signed on Friday, 25^th July 2025, by ACA Board President, Mr. Ibrahim Sanfo and the AICA President, Mr. Bola Ruhul Kamath on the sidelines of the 2^nd AICA Cashew Convention held in Mahabalipuram, India.

Recognizing the growing trade and strategic importance of cashew between Africa and India, the agreement aims to enhance collaboration between the two organizations in support of sustainable cashew industry development.

Key areas of cooperation include Quality Control Standards for Raw Cashew Nuts (RCN), dispute resolution and arbitration, trade facilitation, advocacy and improved information sharing and transparency.

“There has always been a cordial relationship between the ACA and the AICA. We hold great mutual respect and have already been working together in various ways for our collective progress. The signing of this MoU only formalizes that partnership and set clear parameters for deeper collaboration,” said Mr. Sanfo.  

Mr. Kamath expressed confidence that the MoU would pave the way for effective cooperation to tackle pressing industry challenges and strengthen cashew trade between India and Africa while safeguarding the interests of stakeholders.  

The ACA was established in 2006 as an association of African and international businesses with an interest in promoting a globally competitive African cashew industry. Today, nearly 130 member companies work under the ACA banner and represent all aspects of the cashew value chain, including producers, processors, traders, and international buyers.

The AICA, on the other hand, is a federation of state-level cashew processors/manufacturers associations, cashew buyers’ associations, cashew producer groups and other stakeholders involved with the Indian cashew value chain. The AICA was formed in 2023 as a not-for-profit body with registered office in New Delhi.

India, the world’s biggest cashew market, imports over one million tons of RCN annually from Africa, which produces over 57% of global cashew supply. This agreement between ACA and the AICA is a significant step towards building a more sustainable, transparent and mutually beneficial cashew industry.