FG Plans to Position Cocoa as Key Driver of Economic Diversification

The Federal Government has set an ambitious target to achieve 500,000 metric tons of cocoa production by 2025, building on a remarkable 606% surge in cocoa exports recorded in recent years.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, [Senator Abubakar Kyari], emphasized that the government is committed to expanding Nigeria’s cocoa industry while ensuring full compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This move aims to position cocoa as a major driver of economic diversification, job creation, and sustainable trade.

According to the Ministry, stakeholders in the cocoa value chain are being mobilized to adopt climate-friendly farming practices and modern processing methods. These efforts are expected to boost quality, improve competitiveness in international markets, and create thousands of jobs, particularly in rural communities.

With global demand for ethically produced cocoa on the rise, Nigeria aims to reclaim its position among the world’s top three cocoa producers, while securing better earnings for farmers and contributing significantly to the nation’s non-oil export revenue.