Dangote eyes Ghana as cocoa-processing hub in proposed 500,000-tonne deal

Aliko Dangote is discussing plans with the Ghanaian government to establish Ghana as a cocoa-processing hub under a proposed agreement involving 500,000 metric tonnes of cocoa. Ghana's Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, revealed this during his presentation of the country's 2027 Budget to Parliament on November 12, 2026. The deal is in line with Ghana's goal to increase domestic cocoa processing, retain more value from its agricultural products, and decrease reliance on raw cocoa exports.

Dr. Forson stated that Dangote has shown interest in using Ghana as a hub for local cocoa processing, with ongoing discussions over a potential contract. The exact terms of the deal are still under review, though Dangote's representatives are eager to formalize the arrangement. The talks come as Ghana aims to process 50% of its locally produced cocoa by 2028 and 100% by 2030.

Ghana's Finance Minister emphasized the need to move beyond exporting raw cocoa beans by encouraging companies to set up processing facilities locally, which would allow the country to add more value to its agricultural produce. A new Cocoa Board Act before Parliament includes a mandatory local-processing requirement, outlining a timetable for increasing domestic processing from 50% to 100% by 2030.

This initiative is part of a broader agricultural modernization drive aimed at reducing Ghana's dependence on food imports, which currently amounts to $3.5 billion annually.