After working in the cocoa industry for more than twenty years—as a researcher, consultant, educator, marketer, and thought leader—I founded ACM on the firm conviction that cocoa in Africa is grown and traded with sustainability, skill, and excellence. For decades, I witnessed the depth of heritage and professionalism that define Africa’s cocoa sector.
When I look at African cocoa, I see a venerable past: over a century of global leadership in cocoa production, with expertise passed from one generation to the next. And I see a bright future—one driven not only by farmers, but by the entrepreneurs, cooperatives, processors, and business leaders who are shaping the continent’s cocoa economies today.
But not everyone has had the opportunity to witness this firsthand.
For too long, sensationalist headlines and outdated narratives have distorted global understanding of African cocoa. These narratives, often written by people who have never set foot on the continent, influence how investors, buyers, journalists, and even chocolate lovers think.
Too often, they foster fear instead of insight. The distance along the cocoa value chain is vast. As cocoa moves from farms across Africa to factories and markets around the world, much is lost: nuance, context, truth, and the dignity of the people whose work makes the chocolate industry possible.
I founded ACM to close that distance.
My purpose is to make visible the hard work of the women and men who grow, trade, process, and market cocoa and chocolate across Africa—and to ensure they receive the recognition and respect their expertise deserves. Through transparent data, verification, responsible storytelling, and a digital marketplace dedicated to African cocoa, ACM offers a new way to connect buyers and sellers based on clarity rather than assumption.
My team and I know that trust must be earned. We are a young company with an ambitious mission, and we approach this work with humility, rigor, and a long-term commitment to the people and businesses we serve.
ACM’s mission is simple: make value visible, verify what matters, and enable trades built on trust.
We are ready for the challenges ahead. In fact, they motivate us.
We are here for the long haul—and you’ll be seeing a lot more of us.
We hope you will join us on this journey.
– Kristy
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Our goal is to be THE trusted platform for African cocoa trade and market information. ACM team members trust one another to bring their best to work every day. We commit the same to you.
We set the highest professional standards for ourselves. We use a stepwise process to achieve our ambitious vision, committing to only what our capacity allows at every stage. We do not act until we are sure we can deliver honorably on our promises, and with the utmost respect for marketplace users, for cocoa, and for Africa.
Africa has suffered enough from false narratives created and promoted by those who do not know the continent or its people. ACM team members joined this company because we are all committed to sharing Only the Truth about African cocoa. Africa’s truths are ACM’s truths.
