• Nigeria sees a rise in cocoa-related investments as global prices remain high
• New projects aim to boost production and build large-scale plantations
• A national cocoa board is set to support regulation and modernization
Nigeria, the world’s fourth-largest cocoa producer, is attracting more private investment as global cocoa prices continue to surge. On May 15, Starlink Global & Ideal Limited and Petaguls Cultivars & Seedling Technologies partnered with the South West Agricultural Company Limited (SWAgCo) to launch a cocoa farm development project in the country’s southwest.
The joint venture will establish a 1,000-hectare industrial cocoa plantation, starting with 100 hectares in the initial phase. The five-year project is valued at NGN4.5 billion (about $2.8 million), according to local media reports.
This is one of several initiatives that have emerged since early 2024. In Enugu State, WhiteRabbit Agro Limited began work on a 100-hectare cocoa farm in partnership with the state government. Meanwhile, Johnvents Industries Limited secured $40.5 million in financing to double its cocoa-bean processing capacity to 30,000 tons per year. In December 2024, Starlink Global also announced a $4.5 million investment in two 10,000-hectare plantations for cocoa and cashew cultivation.
These projects could significantly boost Nigeria’s average cocoa output, which has hovered around 300,000 tons annually over the past five years. The surge in investment coincides with a steep rise in cocoa prices. On May 19, prices hit $10,970 per ton on the Intercontinental Exchange in New York, more than double the $5,367 per ton recorded on May 20, 2024.
Investor interest may grow further following the government’s approval on May 5 of a bill establishing the National Cocoa Management Board (NCMB). The board is expected to oversee regulation, modernize industry practices, and improve coordination among stakeholders. If successful, it could help Nigeria increase its role in the global cocoa market and gain more value from its domestic production.
• Global coffee consumption projected to hit a record 169.4 million 60-kg bags in 2025/2026, up from...
In a West African financial landscape marked by tighter regulation of the fintech sector, digital fi...
• Burkina Faso-based financial group, Vista Group Holding, has acquired a majority stake in Société ...
Transport and food prices have been climbing steadily across Africa in recent years. In Côte d’Ivoir...
• Kenyan President William Ruto signs strategic partnership with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to b...
• Algeria grants commercial 5G licenses to top three telecom operators: Mobilis, Djezzy, and Ooredoo • License award comes on stream as part of the...
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has authorized a $262.3 million disbursement for Ethiopia, taking total payments under Extended Credit...
• ECOWAS Bank funds 47.7-km stretch of strategic 700-km road project• Lagos-Calabar highway seen boosting regional trade and investment• Part of broader...
• IFC teams up with AfDB and Nigeria’s EbonyLife to assess a new fund for African cinema• Sector could grow to $20 bln annually and create 20 mln...
The Gerewol tradition is a fascinating ritual celebrated by the Bororo Fulani, a nomadic community primarily located in Chad and Niger. This annual...
In northern Ethiopia, in the Tigray region, lies Axum (also spelled Aksum), an ancient city that once stood at the heart of one of Africa’s most powerful...