Kate Fotso: Driving transformation in Cameroon’s cocoa industry
Key Points
- Kate Fotso is the founder and CEO of Telcar Cocoa Ltd., leading 30 percent of Cameroon’s cocoa exports.
- She is a champion of sustainable agriculture, training over 21,000 cocoa farmers in Cameroon.
- Kate Fotso is recognized as Cameroon’s richest woman, with a net worth estimated at $252 million.
Kate Kanyi-Tometi Fotso, born in Cameroon, has become one of Africa’s most influential business leaders through her exceptional contributions to the cocoa industry. While details about her early life remain private, her achievements underscore a determined and visionary career. Rising from humble beginnings, Fotso built her success through hard work, ultimately leading one of Cameroon’s largest enterprises.
She was married to the late André Fotso, a prominent businessman and former president of Cameroon’s employers association. Following his death in 2016, Kate took charge of the family business, transforming it into a powerhouse in Cameroon’s agribusiness sector.
Telcar Cocoa: A leader in cocoa exports
Kate Fotso is widely regarded as a pioneer in the cocoa industry. She founded Telcar Cocoa Ltd., which has since become Cameroon’s largest cocoa exporter, controlling more than 30 percent of the market. Her vision was to ease cocoa exports, expand international markets for Cameroonian farmers, and ensure that locals benefited economically.
Fotso forged a groundbreaking partnership with U.S. firm Cargill, enhancing global recognition for Cameroonian cocoa and improving market access for local farmers. This collaboration also ensured competitive pricing for farmers, increasing economic opportunities for the community.
Championing sustainability and ethical farming
In 2011, Fotso spearheaded the “Cargill Cocoa Promise” in Cameroon, a sustainability initiative that trained more than 21,000 farmers across cocoa-producing regions. The program, which ran from 2011 to 2015, emphasized sustainable and ethical farming practices, ensuring compliance with global certification standards.
This initiative produced tangible benefits: farmers experienced increased productivity and earned premium prices for their crops. It also boosted the credibility of Cameroonian cocoa in international markets. Over the last three seasons, Telcar Cocoa has distributed FCfa 1.5 billion in premiums to certified cocoa producers, incentivizing high-quality production and promoting sustainability.
Breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry
Kate Fotso’s leadership has redefined the role of women in agribusiness, a field traditionally dominated by men. Her success in navigating the cocoa industry has inspired African women to pursue opportunities in male-dominated sectors.
Her achievements were recognized in Forbes Africa in 2016, where she was named the richest woman in Cameroon, with an estimated net worth of $252 million. She ranked 20th among the wealthiest individuals in Francophone Africa.
Empowering communities and women in business
Beyond her business success, Fotso is a dedicated advocate for women in leadership. She provides mentorship opportunities for young women in agribusiness, fostering the next generation of leaders. Her support for certified cocoa farming has also created structured market networks, improving financial stability for farmers and uplifting local economies.
Her leadership is rooted in the belief that empowering women and communities leads to more sustainable and inclusive growth. By championing women’s roles in agriculture and business, she has reshaped the narrative for African women entrepreneurs.
A legacy of transformation and innovation
As CEO of Telcar Cocoa, Kate Fotso has turned a family business into a regional powerhouse, rejuvenating Cameroon’s cocoa market and promoting fair trade. Her commitment to sustainable farming and farmer empowerment has placed Cameroonian cocoa on the global map, fostering economic development and financial stability in the region.
Her story exemplifies resilience, innovation, and the transformative power of leadership. By addressing challenges with creativity and determination, Kate Fotso has laid the groundwork for the future of African agribusiness and inspired a new generation of leaders.