Aliko Dangote is in talks with the Ghanaian government to establish the country as a cocoa-processing hub under a proposed deal involving 500,000 metric tonnes of cocoa.<\/p>\n
Ghana\u2019s Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, disclosed this in an interview on Thursday, November 12, 2026, after presenting the country\u2019s 2027 Budget to Parliament.<\/p>\n
The proposed arrangement aligns with Ghana\u2019s ambition to expand domestic cocoa processing, retain more value from its agricultural produce and reduce dependence on raw cocoa exports.<\/p>\n
Dr Forson said Dangote had expressed interest in using Ghana as a hub for local cocoa processing, with discussions ongoing over a proposed contract involving 500,000 metric tonnes.<\/p>\n
According to the minister, the arrangement could support Ghana\u2019s efforts to increase domestic processing and strengthen its agricultural value chain.<\/p>\n
He added that the terms of the proposed agreement were still under review, although Dangote\u2019s representatives wanted to formalise the arrangement.<\/p>\n
The minister did not indicate that an agreement had been signed, meaning the proposal remains subject to ongoing discussions.<\/p>\n
The talks come as Ghana targets processing 50% of its locally produced cocoa by 2028 and 100% by 2030.<\/p>\n
Dr Forson said Ghana must move beyond exporting raw cocoa beans by encouraging companies to establish processing facilities locally. This, he explained, would allow the country to capture more value from its agricultural produce.<\/p>\n
He cited a recent visit to Bangkok for the World Bank and IMF annual meetings, where he observed various cocoa products, reinforcing the need for greater local value addition.<\/p>\n
To support this objective, the minister disclosed that a new Cocoa Board Act before Parliament contains a mandatory local-processing requirement. A legislative instrument will establish the timetable for increasing domestic processing from 50% to 100% by 2030.<\/p>\n
The initiative also forms part of a broader agricultural modernisation drive aimed at reducing Ghana\u2019s dependence on food imports.<\/p>\n
Dr Forson said Ghana spends approximately $3.5 billion annually importing food products, including palm oil, sugar, rice and poultry, despite having the resources to expand domestic production.<\/p>\n
He identified opportunities to increase maize and soybean production for poultry feed and expand vegetable farming.<\/p>\n
The proposed Ghana cocoa-processing deal follows Dangote\u2019s investments in agricultural production, food processing and fertiliser manufacturing across Africa.<\/p>\n