Ghana is intensifying efforts to transform its cocoa sector through a new 50% domestic processing policy aimed at increasing local value addition and capturing a larger share of the global chocolate industry, estimated at $130 billion annually.
The policy, which takes effect from the 2026/27 cocoa season, is expected to prioritise the supply of cocoa beans to domestic processors as government seeks to strengthen local manufacturing and reduce dependence on raw bean exports.
Speaking at the Africa Cocoa Finance & Investment Forum 2026 held at the London Stock Exchange, Managing Director of the Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC), Dr. Wisdom Kofi Dogbey, said Africa continues to receive only a small fraction of the value generated from the global chocolate market despite producing between 70% and 75% of the world’s cocoa.
“Africa earns less than 10% of that $130 billion. That gap is the untapped value. That is what the 50% processing policy is changing.” - Dr. Wisdom Dogbey
Focus on Local Processing Capacity
Dr. Dogbey explained that Ghana already possesses significant processing infrastructure, with 13 processing companies and a combined installed capacity of 500,000 tonnes.
However, many factories have struggled to operate at full capacity due to unreliable and commercially uncompetitive access to cocoa beans.
“What has not worked is the final step: keeping those beans in Ghanaian factories,” he noted, adding that Ghana’s quality assurance system “from farm to port” remains one of the strongest globally, with Ghanaian cocoa continuing to command positive differentials on ICE Futures Europe.
Under the new arrangement, CMC will allocate defined volumes of cocoa beans to domestic processors including CPC, WAMCO, Niche Cocoa, Plot Enterprise and TF Commodities under what he described as “auditable commercial terms.”
Financing and Investment Strategy
Dr. Dogbey clarified that the domestic bond programme supporting the sector is not intended to finance factory construction directly.
Instead, it is designed to support the upstream supply chain by enabling Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to purchase beans promptly from farmers and ensuring contractors are paid on delivery.
“The domestic bond programme does not finance factories directly. It finances the upstream supply chain,” he said.
He added that CMC is also working to secure long-term offtake agreements between Ghanaian processors and international buyers to create predictable demand and strengthen investor confidence in the sector.
Building a Competitive Cocoa Economy
The renewed push for local processing forms part of broader efforts to reposition Ghana and Africa within the global cocoa value chain, shifting from raw commodity exports toward higher-value finished and semi-finished products.
“With the beans, the climate, installed processing capacity and now a guaranteed bean supply policy, Ghana is positioning itself for a more competitive and value-driven cocoa industry.” - Dr. Dogbey
Analysts say the strategy could help generate jobs, improve foreign exchange earnings, deepen industrialisation and reduce the continent’s long-standing dependence on exporting unprocessed commodities.
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