Despite their driving role, which is recognized by all actors in the cocoa supply chain, cooperatives are struggling to become influential players capable of exerting real influence on strategic decisions within the cocoa sector in Côte d’Ivoire. For a long time, they have been sidelined. While it is true that some are cooperatives in name only, the reality on the ground shows that there are also many “real” cooperatives committed to improving the situation of their members. However, they are caught in a trap inherent in the current organization and structure of the cocoa sector, where they are considered solely as “collectors and deliverers” of cocoa beans. This role was assigned to them but does not do them justice.