Abuja declaration commits cocoa-producing countries to expand local processing, raise farmers’ incomes and strengthen Africa’s position in global markets

Nigeria and other cocoa-producing African countries have agreed to deepen cooperation on Nigeria cocoa processing and value addition following the adoption of the Abuja Declaration, a regional framework designed to boost local manufacturing, improve farmers’ earnings and strengthen Africa’s influence in the global cocoa industry.

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The Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, announced the outcome on Sunday after the recently concluded Cocoa Value Addition Summit in Abuja, describing the agreement as a decisive step towards ending Africa’s long-standing dependence on exporting raw cocoa beans while importing finished chocolate and confectionery products at far higher prices.

Enoh said the declaration reflects a shared commitment among cocoa-producing nations to retain more value within the continent by investing in local processing, branding and manufacturing.

“Every cocoa farmer who has ever sold a harvest for less than its worth already understands the value gap in the cocoa industry. Earlier this week, the Cocoa Value Addition Summit was held to bridge this gap,” the minister said in a statement published on his verified X account.

For decades, African countries have accounted for the majority of global cocoa production while receiving only a small proportion of the industry’s overall economic returns. Much of the continent’s harvest is exported as raw beans before being processed overseas into chocolate and other finished products.

Highlighting the significance of the agreement, Enoh said the summit sought to reverse that trend by enabling producing countries to process, brand and market cocoa products on their own terms.

“For generations, our cocoa has left home unfinished, and returned to us finished, at prices we had no hand in setting. The Summit was called to bridge that gap, giving Nigeria and its neighbours the tools to process, brand and price cocoa on their own terms,” he said.

The Abuja Declaration also commits participating countries to adopt a coordinated approach to international cocoa trade by harmonising standards, improving traceability across supply chains and strengthening their collective voice in global negotiations.

According to Enoh, signatory nations have agreed to prepare for evolving international trade requirements, including compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation, which takes effect on 30 December 2026.

“Signatory nations have agreed to speak with a single coordinated voice in global markets, raise standards and traceability across the supply chain, and prepare for shifting global trade rules, including the EU Deforestation Regulation, effective 30 December 2026,” he said.

The regulation will require exporters of commodities such as cocoa to demonstrate that products entering European Union markets are not linked to deforestation, placing greater emphasis on sustainable production and transparent supply chains.

Enoh said the declaration is expected to create opportunities for cocoa farmers, processors and entrepreneurs by encouraging investment in domestic manufacturing and supporting the development of globally recognised African brands.

“This is a Declaration for the farmer chasing a fairer price, the processor scaling a factory floor, and the entrepreneur building a brand the world will recognise. Growth here means growth felt where it matters most, at the root of the industry,” he added.

Nigeria ranks among Africa’s leading cocoa producers alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Cameroon. Despite its sizeable production, much of the country’s cocoa continues to be exported in raw form, limiting the value captured from the multibillion-dollar global chocolate and confectionery market.

Successive Nigerian administrations have identified agro-processing, value addition and export diversification as central pillars of economic policy, arguing that expanding domestic processing could generate higher foreign exchange earnings, create jobs and stimulate industrial growth.

The Cocoa Value Addition Summit forms part of broader regional efforts to reshape Africa’s role in the international cocoa value chain.

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By committing to closer collaboration through the Abuja Declaration, participating countries aim to secure a larger share of industry revenues while ensuring that more of the economic benefits reach farmers and local businesses across the continent.