The campaign connects the Netherlands and Ghana in a joint effort to sustainable improvement in the cocoa sector. Because the global chocolate trade is broken. Voluntary labels have failed to fix this. That’s why Equal Trade Alliance is pushing for laws that guarantee profit-sharing, shared ownership, and transparency — starting with the cocoa industry. Change won’t happen on its own. We have to demand it.
The chocolate industry is worth billions. But the people who make it all possible – cacao farmers – often live in deep poverty. Ghana, one of the world’s largest cacao exporters, receives less than 1% of the total chocolate value. Meanwhile, multinationals earn billions from those same beans.
Why this matters right now
It is time for real, structural change
To amplify farmers’ voices, we filmed farmers in testimonial interviews showing their real-life experiences and challenges that we will share the upcoming weeks leading up to our final event in both Ghana and the Netherlands.
In Ghana, we actively engage cocoa farmers to explore the Equal Trade Model and its direct impact on their communities. This will help create a citizen-inclusive movement, mobilizing public support and strengthening the push for policy change.
In the Netherlands, the Ghanaian testimonials will support the national petition, as we urge the Dutch Parliament to pass a law that ensures cacao farmers in Ghana get an equal share of the profits from chocolate produced and sold in the Netherlands.
Building a new standard together. Stand up for cocoa farmers in Ghana!
Support the campaign in both Ghana and the Netherlands.
Let’s right historical wrongs and make equal trade the global standard.
We’re building an equal global economy where African countries earn from their own resources – from cocoa to minerals. We’re starting with chocolate, but this is just the beginning. ETA envisions a future in which Africa’s resources are valued fairly. Profits throughout the value chain will be shared and reinvested in sustainable growth.
At Equal Trade Alliance, our initiatives drive meaningful change in global trade. Through powerful campaigns and dedicated alliances, we’re championing fair compensation, sustainability, and opportunity for African communities. See how we’re building a world where trade empowers, uplifts, and sustains.
Our alliances foster collaboration across different sectors, enabling us to drive transformative change in trade practices and build a supportive network of advocates.
Focuses on empowering female entrepreneurs in Africa by providing resources, training, and support to help them succeed in global markets. This alliance advocates for equal pay and opportunities, promoting gender equity in fair trade industries.
A partnership with universities and research institutions to promote studies and develop policies for equitable trade practices. This alliance plays a vital role in evidence-based advocacy by researching the socioeconomic impacts of fair trade on African communities.
Engages student leaders across Africa and Europe, empowering them to become advocates for fair trade. Through workshops and advocacy programs, the network builds a new generation of equality leaders committed to reshaping trade norms.
Partners with businesses committed to promoting and supporting equal trade practices between Europe and Africa. Through collaborative initiatives and advocacy programs, the alliance empowers companies to become champions for fair compensation and sustainable trade relationships.
Get involved in our movement for equal trade. Your participation helps empower African communities and promotes sustainable growth in trade.
Make an impact by volunteering with us! Whether you’re a student, professional, or passionate advocate, your skills and time help us drive change on the ground.
Add your voice to the movement for equitable trade. Sign the petition to support African communities and foster sustainable growth.
Support our mission directly through a donation. Every contribution advances our work, empowering African communities and transforming trade for good.
Join our movement by attending upcoming events, workshops, and campaigns. Each gathering is an opportunity to learn, connect, and contribute to the future of equal trade.
Explore opportunities to engage in groundbreaking research or gain hands-on experience through internships.
ETA replaces the traditional supply chain model by making producers co-owners, giving them an equal, guaranteed share of the final price. ETA challenges the structural inequalities that other models have been unable to overcome. Unlike conventional systems where profits are accumulated by intermediaries and retailers, ETA’s revenue-sharing approach redistributes value across the chain, empowering producers to benefit from every stage — not only from raw material sales, but from the value-added stages of production and commercialization.
A minimum threshold of revenue share is established, guaranteeing that a significant percentage of the final product’s value is returned to the producers. This shift ensures that economic sustainability. To reinforce equality and fight fraud, ETA integrates blockchain technology, creating a transparent, tamper-proof system. The result? A supply chain where wealth flows more equally — not just to the West, but across the globe.
Through joint ownership and long-term partnerships, ETC could restructure trade relationships to reduce dependency on retailers and give producers greater financial stability and decision-making power. Laborers have more to say in the value chain, like in setting demands/prices. Farmers and states earn a sustainable income and buyers get quality and ethically sourced products. Hereby breaks the Equal Trade Model the long-standing cycle of farmer exploitation for the benefit of retailers.
