Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon are set to strengthen Africa’s position in the global cocoa industry by launching a joint initiative aimed at increasing local cocoa processing and reducing dependence on the export of raw cocoa beans.
The four countries, which collectively account for around two-thirds of global cocoa production, are expected to establish a Cocoa Value Addition Alliance through the signing of the Abuja Declaration at the Cocoa Value Addition Summit 2026. The alliance will coordinate policies on cocoa processing, quality standards, trade negotiations and international market access as member states seek to capture greater value from the global chocolate industry.
According to Brandspur Brand News, Nigeria will also sign a separate Cocoa Value Addition Accord with cocoa-producing state governments, farmers’ associations, processors, researchers and development finance institutions. The agreement is expected to drive investment across the cocoa value chain, expand domestic processing capacity and improve earnings for cocoa farmers through coordinated implementation.
The accord will be overseen by a delivery council chaired by the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, with annual progress reports planned to monitor implementation and industry performance.
The initiative comes at a time of significant volatility in global cocoa markets, with international prices experiencing sharp fluctuations over the past 18 months. The alliance also intends to adopt a common position on compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation, which will require cocoa exported to the EU to meet strict traceability requirements from December 30, 2026. Member countries are expected to seek recognition of their national traceability systems while advocating that smallholder farmers should not bear the full cost of compliance.
As part of broader industry reforms, discussions at the summit will also focus on financing for cocoa processing projects involving development finance institutions, including the Bank of Industry and NIRSAL. Stakeholders are additionally expected to receive updates on the 70,000-metric-tonne cocoa processing plant under construction in Sagamu, Ogun State, which is scheduled for commissioning in 2027.
The latest collaboration reflects a growing determination among Africa’s leading cocoa-producing nations to shift from exporting raw agricultural commodities towards building stronger domestic manufacturing industries capable of producing higher-value finished cocoa products for regional and international markets.
