Nigeria targets global cocoa leadership with trade expansion, sustainability push 

NIGERIA – Nigeria has intensified efforts to reclaim its position among the world’s leading cocoa producers, positioning the crop as a catalyst for job creation, export growth, and long-term economic development. 

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this in London at the International Cocoa and Chocolate Forum (ICCF 2026), where he presented Nigeria’s strategy centred on trade expansion, sustainability compliance, and cocoa value chain development. 

The forum, themed “Reclaiming Value, Shaping Rules: Nigeria’s Vision for Cocoa Sovereignty,” convened policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders from across the global cocoa and chocolate sector. 

Kyari said Nigeria’s cocoa ambition is grounded in its natural advantages, including fertile soils, favourable agro-ecological zones, and a long-established cocoa farming tradition.  

He noted that the Tinubu administration considers cocoa a strategic commodity capable of strengthening food security, revitalising rural economies, and deepening non-oil exports. 

“Nigeria is committed to reclaiming its rightful position among the world’s top cocoa-producing countries through sustainable practices, value chain development, and expanded trade,” Kyari said. 

From a trade and business perspective, the minister said the government is leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to improve market access and competitiveness for Nigerian cocoa.  

According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Head of Information Department, Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Kyari said Nigeria has gazetted its Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions and is advancing AfCFTA implementation, which is projected to boost intra-African trade by 53.3% by 2026. 

He added that Nigeria is also engaging with global trade partners, including the European Union and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), to safeguard trade sovereignty and expand export opportunities. 

A central pillar of the strategy is sustainability compliance, particularly alignment with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which has become a key requirement for cocoa exporters accessing the EU market. 

Kyari said Nigeria has enacted the Climate Change Act, established a National Task Force on EUDR Compliance, and developed a National Cocoa Development Plan to modernise production and strengthen the value chain. 

“By complying with global climate and deforestation standards, we intend to turn sustainability into a competitive advantage for Nigerian cocoa,” he said. “Our focus is on responsible investment, increased productivity, and deeper economic activity that creates jobs and strengthens food security.” 

He added that the government plans to achieve this through public-private partnerships, geospatial mapping, and innovative financing solutions to improve traceability, promote carbon-smart cocoa production, and attract responsible foreign investment. 

Kyari also highlighted youth inclusion and climate resilience as core priorities, noting that Nigeria is expanding climate-smart agriculture practices, improving access to finance, and strengthening market linkages to enhance farmers’ livelihoods. 

In the 12-month period between June 2024 and June 2025, Nigeria’s cocoa exports generated N3.63 trillion (US$2.4 billion), supported by demand from markets including the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and Germany. 

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