Socfin publishes three additional independent Proforest verification reports

21 July 2026

Fribourg, Switzerland / July 21^th, 2026

The assessments conducted at Socapalm Dibombari, Socapalm Edéa and Safacam confirm that all 75 measures reviewed are fully aligned with the recommendations arising from the previous independent investigations.

Socfin has published a second series of independent verification reports prepared by Proforest, following assessments conducted at Socapalm Dibombari, Socapalm Edéa and Safacam in Cameroon.

The three reports assess the implementation of measures introduced in response to recommendations formulated by Earthworm Foundation following its independent investigations into allegations concerning these operations.

Proforest reviewed 75 measures across the three sites. All were found to be fully aligned with Earthworm Foundation’s recommendations:

At Socapalm Dibombari, all 25 measures reviewed were found to be fully aligned. Ten were classified as implemented, 14 as subject to continuous implementation, while certain components of four measures were classified as partially implemented.
At Socapalm Edéa, all 29 measures reviewed were found to be fully aligned. Seven were classified as implemented, 20 as subject to continuous implementation and two as partially implemented.
At Safacam, all 21 measures reviewed were found to be fully aligned. Eleven were classified as implemented, nine as subject to continuous implementation and one as partially implemented.

The assessments combined document reviews, field observations and interviews with company representatives, employees, contractors, community members, public authorities, civil-society organisations and other relevant stakeholders. The field missions were conducted in Cameroon in April 2026.

Progress confirmed, with continued attention required

The reports confirm progress across a range of issues, including land-related dialogue and restitution processes, community engagement, grievance management, access to water, working conditions, environmental monitoring, security practices and the prevention of gender-based violence and sexual harassment.

They also identify areas where implementation must continue or be further strengthened. These include maintaining regular dialogue with neighbouring communities, documenting the outcomes of ongoing land-related processes, improving the accessibility and operation of grievance channels, pursuing training and awareness-raising, and strengthening certain monitoring and record-keeping practices.

The classification of a measure as being under “continuous implementation” reflects the long-term nature of the action concerned. It applies to measures such as community engagement, environmental monitoring, training and grievance management, which must be maintained and regularly reviewed rather than treated as one-off actions.

“These new reports provide a further independent assessment of the work carried out at our operations and of the areas where sustained attention remains necessary. The finding that all 75 measures are aligned with the original recommendations is encouraging, but alignment is not the end of the process. Our priority is to ensure that these measures remain effective over time, are understood by the stakeholders concerned and continue to evolve in response to experience on the ground,” said Céline Schmitz, Head of Sustainability at Socfin.

The second series in an ongoing independent verification process

These publications follow the release on 13 July 2026 of the first three Proforest verification reports covering the Liberian Agricultural Company (LAC) in Liberia, Socfin Agricultural Company (SAC) in Sierra Leone and Okomu Oil Palm Company in Nigeria.

Across those first three assessments, Proforest reviewed 107 measures, of which 106 were found to be fully aligned with the recommendations arising from the previous Earthworm Foundation investigations.

With the publication of the three Cameroon reports, six Proforest assessments are now publicly available. Collectively, they cover 182 measures, of which 181 were found to be fully aligned with the original recommendations.

From 2023 to the end of 2025, Socfin mandated Earthworm Foundation to conduct independent investigations, including field missions, into allegations raised in relation to several of its operations. Earthworm Foundation published its findings and recommendations, after which Socfin developed site-specific action plans and regularly reported on their implementation.

In January 2026, Socfin appointed Proforest to independently verify, through field visits and stakeholder consultations, whether the measures set out in those plans had been implemented and whether they were aligned with the original recommendations.

The publication of these assessments forms part of Socfin’s commitment to independent scrutiny, transparency and continuous improvement. Further Proforest verification reports covering other Socfin operations will be published as the assessment process progresses.

The three new reports are available on the Socfin website:

The first series of reports is also available:

About Socfin

Founded in 1905, Socfin is an international agro-industrial group active in tropical agriculture, whose activities focus primarily on the production of natural rubber and palm oil. Operating in 10 countries across Africa and Asia, the Group draws on long-term experience in agricultural development. Its approach is based on the gradual strengthening of environmental and social practices, constructive stakeholder engagement and a continuous-improvement process, in line with internationally recognised standards.

Contact: media@socfin.com

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