Neo Industry SA joins ICI as its first member from Cameroon

Neo Industry SA, a Cameroonian company specializing in cocoa bean processing, has joined ICI, as part of its commitment to responsible supply chains and alignment with international standards in the sector.

As Executive Director Matthias Lange noted, Neo Industry SA's membership is a promising step toward strengthening child protection and establishing responsible, resilient supply chains in cocoa-growing communities in Cameroon, where child rights and human rights are respected.

"We are pleased to welcome Neo Industry SA to ICI. As an ICI member, Neo Industry will benefit from knowledge-sharing and capacity-building initiatives. Combined with technical support, these measures will help the company strengthen its supply chains in accordance with international frameworks such as the OECD Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct," he said.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Neo Industry SA, Mr. Emmanuel Neossi, noted that "for ICI and Neo Industry SA, this partnership marks the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration." He went on to highlight Neo Industry SA's three key areas of commitment: protecting biodiversity, defending human rights, and ensuring decent incomes for producers.

Based in Kékem (West Region of Cameroon), Neo Industry SA is the first Cameroon based organization to join the ICI as a member. To this end, the company intends to strengthen its leadership role in responsible cocoa processing in Cameroon and Central Africa by:

• Enhancing traceability and transparency in its supply chain, by identifying and addressing child labour risks in its areas of influence.

• Developing awareness and training programs for producers and communities, in collaboration with ICI and local organizations.

• Inspiring other Cameroonian stakeholders to join the initiative by sharing best practices and serving as a role model within the national cocoa sector.