LCF REVIEW
of Vincent’s keynote was his vision for the next phase of traceability—one powered by data science and artificial intelligence. “We’re now being asked to develop it using AI into a predictive model,” he said. “We’ll be forecasting where the risks in a company’s supply chain will exist, not just reacting to them after the fact.” That shift from reactive compliance to
proactive risk management, he argued, could redefine sustainability in cocoa. “It means you can prioritise farmer engagement, focus on hotspots before they become violations, and target investments where they matter most.” WCF, he noted, is already piloting
predictive risk mapping with several major chocolate manufacturers. “The idea is that traceability data, satellite imagery, and field surveys come together to generate a risk forecast—much like a weather model for deforestation.” Beyond deforestation: The next
sustainability horizon Vincent also looked beyond EUDR to
the broader sustainability agenda waiting on the horizon. “Biodiversity is coming onto the agenda. Greenhouse gases are next. Labour risks will follow. And they’ll all come with their own due-diligence regulations,” he said. The key, in his view, is collaboration.
“We must bring in the other experts—on biodiversity, on climate, on labour—to make sure we’re not doing our own homework. This is not a cocoa-only conversation anymore.” That call resonated strongly with the
Forum audience, many of whom are grappling with overlapping reporting requirements and tightening ESG expectations.
National ownership, global standards One of Vincent’s most striking points was that the future of traceability should be nationally owned but globally interoperable. “We’re getting to a point where traceability will be national,” he said. “Data will sit under the sovereignty of governments, fully digitised, independently verified, and predictive rather than reactive.” That model, he argued, balances
accountability and sovereignty: producing countries maintain control over their data and systems, while buyers and regulators gain the transparency they need. “It’s the only way this scales,” Vincent said. “You cannot have fifty different systems chasing the same cocoa bean.” Despite acknowledging confusion,
Vincent’s keynote was ultimately optimistic. “Despite all the doom and gloom,” he said, “we’re getting somewhere. The systems exist, the momentum is real, and we have the partnerships in place. This isn’t just about ticking boxes for EUDR—
18 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • OCTOBER 2025
Salomon Kalou presents Oumé at the LCF 2025
Salomon Kalou, Karina Ferreira, and Ndubuisi Kejeh of Oumé presented at the London Chocolate Forum on 9 October, sharing insights into their approach to building a brand centred on cacao that prioritises storytelling over product features. In a 20-25 minute keynote titled
"Building the Brand Before the Product: Oumé's Story- First Business Model," the three discussed how they deliberately built brand loyalty and emotional connection before launching any chocolate product— an approach that challenges traditional industry conventions. The presentation explored Oumé's unique business model, which centres on creating resonance through narrative rather than relying on sustainability claims or product specifications. Notably, the team held a pre-launch event without chocolate to identify genuine supporters and filter their core community. "Strong brands create
resonance
from expressed messages not products" explained Ndubuisi Kejeh, Founding Partner of Mustard. "Similar to how sports fans support teams regardless of performance,
Karina Ferreira, , Kiran Grewal and Salomon Kalou
we're building emotional connections around themes of home and nostalgia." The team shared practical insights on their story-first methodology, including how they've developed multiple revenue streams—such as higher-margin apparel—that provide pricing flexibility for their cacao products. Attendees learnt about creating brand relationships that transcend tr aditional product-focused mark e ting strategies. The talk
garnered many critical questions from industry professionals in the audience, many of
whom believe the brand should focus more on farmers and sustainability. In response Ndubuisi stated: “Oumé is Salomon’s birthplace, and the
cacao farm his personal nostalgia. Our approach may be different, but the brand is founded on our strong notions and feelings towards home, so we hope you can journey with us to see where it goes and what impact we might have in the future.” The London Chocolate Forum attracts
chocolate industry professionals and UK retailers annually, which made it an ideal platform for Oumé to present their approach to building a movement rather than simply selling chocolate.
it’s about building the foundation for a sustainable cocoa economy.” He challenged the audience to view the
current regulatory turbulence not as a barrier, but as a catalyst. “Yes, there will be another delay. But the smart companies aren’t waiting for Brussels—they’re investing now.” For the industry professionals gathered
in London, Vincent’s message was clear: traceability is no longer a project; it’s a platform. It will underpin not only deforestation compliance but the entire future of sustainable cocoa—from farmer income and child-labour monitoring to biodiversity and climate reporting. “Real progress in sustainability,” he
concluded, “is only possible if we know where our cocoa comes from. And that journey has already begun.”
REAL PROGRESS IN SUSTAINABILITY IS ONLY
POSSIBLE IF WE KNOW WHERE OUR COCOA COMES FROM. AND THAT JOURNEY HAS ALREADY BEGUN”
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