ECOM and Lindt & Sprüngli Inaugurate New School in Côte d’Ivoire

At ZAMACOM, ECOM’s operation in Côte d’Ivoire, improving the living conditions of farming communities remains one of the key pillars of our sustainability strategy. We achieve this objective by identifying the needs of the communities we work in and addressing them with our clients through our jointly designed sustainability programs. 

One such need emerged in Zeaglo, a community located around 570 km from Abidjan and home to members of the Tarwindpanga cooperative affiliated with our client, Lindt & Sprüngli. Previously, children attended classes in makeshift shelters that served as the site for the Zeaglo 2 Public School. 

Through the Lindt & Sprüngli Farmers Program, implemented by ZAMACOM, a new school building has now been completed — featuring six fully furnished classrooms equipped with desks, benches, blackboards, teachers’ desks, and storage cabinets. The facility also includes a headteacher’s office and six toilets for pupils. 

In addition, the school now benefits from a solar-powered borehole, providing reliable access to clean drinking water for students and staff. 

The official inauguration ceremony took place on September 18, 2025, attended by the Sub-Prefect of the area, representatives from the Regional Department of National Education, village leaders, cooperative executives, farmers, and members of the community. 

To further support education in Zeaglo, the ECOM Foundation donated school textbooks, teaching materials, and sports equipment — resources that will help strengthen literacy, encourage learning, and support the creation of a school library. 

The handover of this new facility marks an important milestone in improving educational access within the Zeaglo community. The school now provides a safe and conducive learning environment for 240 children, helping to reduce child labour risks while supporting their development and future opportunities.