The Women’s Economic Empowerment through Cashew Processing (WEECAP) program is a five-year initiative funded by the Mastercard Foundation aimed at transforming the cashew value chain in Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea-Bissau. The program seeks to increase the competitiveness and sustainability of the local cashew processing industry while creating decent and inclusive economic opportunities for women and youth, particularly in processing, aggregation, and associated services. WEECAP adopts a market systems development approach, working across multiple levels of the cashew ecosystem. At the firm level, the program supports processors and value-chain actors to improve productivity, quality standards, business management, and access to finance. At the workforce level, it strengthens skills development, workplace practices, and job quality to enable women and young people to enter and advance in cashew processing jobs. At the systems and policy level, WEECAP engages with industry associations, financial institutions, and public actors to address structural constraints such as access to raw nuts, finance, infrastructure, and gender-based barriers

MSA was contracted to conduct a market systems diagnostic of the cashew value chain in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau, including an in-depth analysis of market demand, supply chain structures, and inclusivity across the three countries. The diagnostic included a global, regional, and domestic demand analysis of cashew products and derivatives, complemented by mapping of value chain actors and flows. It also featured a supply chain competitiveness assessment, profiling micro, small, and medium processors and identifying a pipeline of potential WEECAP partners. In parallel, MSA conducted a Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis to assess firm behavior, inclusive employment potential, and models that enhance women’s and youth participation. The final Market Diagnostic Report provided evidence-based recommendations to improve competitiveness, unlock inclusive growth, and strengthen opportunities for women, youth, and marginalized groups in the cashew sector.