ICC Internship Q&A: working across finance and sustainability at ofi
In this blog, hear from Cynthia Anaba, A4S International Case Competition semi-finalist, who recently completed her internship at ofi. The internship provided hands-on experience across finance, sustainability and operations at ofi’s facilities in Côte d’Ivoire. Cynthia shares how she gained practical insight into how sustainability strategies are developed and applied within ofi’s West African operations, and how financial decisions shape outcomes for farmers, communities and supply chains. To learn more about the competition, click here.
Q: Tell us about yourself.
As long as I can remember, I’ve always been passionate about social innovation and environmental sustainability – and this fuels my commitment to building a more sustainable and adaptable world. I see the world as my classroom and consider myself a social change architect with a deep passion for climate change adaptation.
My journey as a global citizen began through programmes like the US Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program, and Erasmus, where I had the opportunity to foster connections with individuals from all corners of the globe.
My passion and commitment to sustainability led me to found UniGhana, an initiative that helps underprivileged students access tertiary education, and to lead a shea tree conservation project that supported 300 women in Northern Ghana.
In 2023, I became a Zonta International Women in Business Scholar and in May 2025, I graduated as a Bachelor in Business Administration from Ashesi University, Ghana, where I was honoured to receive the Presidential Award.
Most recently, I worked as a Sustainability and Finance Intern at ofi in Côte d’Ivoire where I helped develop climate-resilient financial plans and sustainability projects across the cocoa, coffee and cashew value chains.
What interested you in applying for the ofi internship?
Finance and sustainability are crucial drivers of resilience in the green economy. As someone deeply passionate about climate adaptation in Africa, this internship presented a unique opportunity to work with a leading global supplier of high-quality food and beverage ingredients and solutions, with a global sourcing footprint which covers some of Africa’s major exports – cocoa, coffee and cashew. Considering that one in five chocolate bars consumed globally uses cocoa from ofi, I saw this as a chance to gain hands-on experience in how sustainable finance can drive positive change within one of Africa’s largest agricultural economies, Côte d’Ivoire.
Tell us about the internship you just completed.
My internship was based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, with field visits to Anyama, Bouaké and San Pedro. I shadowed teams across Finance, Sustainability, Procurement and Factory Operations learning how each function connects to create sustainable value. During my internship I gained practical insights into how technology can be leveraged in fostering sustainability in product value chains. For example, how it can support farmers to obtain Rainforest certifications to tracking responsibly sourced cocoa through AtSource. The internship was varied – one moment I was in the factory wearing a hair net and lab coat, and the next I was on a cocoa farm observing how good agricultural practices like pruning can improve yields.
What were some key highlights or things you learnt during your internship?
I learned that sustainability looks different across industries, for example in food processing there are lots of impacts and dependencies on nature. I was particularly impressed by ofi’s Choices for Change strategy, which integrates sustainability financing with customer partnerships. This approach allows joint investment in community and environmental projects alongside cocoa processing. I also observed how government regulations, such as the Conseil du Café-Cacao’s pricing policies, influence premium payments to farmers and shape both financial and sustainability outcomes.
How has this internship influenced your future career prospects or aspirations?
This internship ignited my interest in exploring agribusiness as an entrepreneurial path. It also clarified my desire to pursue postgraduate studies in Sustainable Finance and to work as an ESG consultant supporting small businesses in building climate-resilient financial and transition strategies. The hands-on exposure at ofi strengthened my conviction that sustainable development in Africa must be driven by innovative financial solutions that connect profitability with social and environmental impact.
What did you learn about the role of finance or accounting in delivering sustainable outcomes?
Finance is an important driving force behind sustainability outcomes. The way resources are allocated determines how effectively sustainability goals are achieved. At ofi, I witnessed how strategic investments in programs, such as Child Labour Monitoring and Remediation systems, can directly improve lives by enabling access to education and community infrastructure like schools and daycare centres. These experiences showed that financial decisions are essential to long-term sustainability planning and that effective financial management supports both financial and climate resilience.
What advice would you give to those interested in applying for an internship alongside the A4S International Case Competition?
The A4S experience goes beyond the competition and becomes a journey of learning and impact. I encourage future applicants to make full use of A4S resources, including their website, webinars and feedback sessions. Approach the competition and internship opportunities with genuine curiosity and a desire to contribute meaningfully to a company’s sustainability objectives. View it as an opportunity not just to compete but to grow into a changemaker shaping the future of sustainable business.
