ACCRA: Nigerian billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote is in discussions with the Ghanaian government over a proposed arrangement to establish Ghana as a major cocoa-processing hub, involving an estimated 500,000 metric tonnes of cocoa.
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, disclosed the development on Thursday, November 12, 2026, during an interview following the presentation of the country’s 2027 Budget to Parliament.
According to the minister, Dangote has expressed interest in processing cocoa locally in Ghana, although negotiations are still ongoing and the terms of the proposed agreement are yet to be finalised.
“Dangote has reached out to use Ghana as a hub to process cocoa locally,” Forson said.
He added that representatives of the Nigerian businessman were interested in formalising the arrangement.
“We are going through the terms, and they want to sign a contract,” the minister stated.
The proposed deal has not been signed, meaning its implementation remains subject to the outcome of discussions between both parties.
The proposed partnership aligns with Ghana’s ambition to move beyond exporting raw cocoa beans and retain more economic value through domestic processing.
The country is targeting the processing of 50 per cent of its locally produced cocoa by 2028, with the ultimate objective of achieving 100 per cent domestic processing by 2030.
Forson said Ghana was determined to encourage companies to establish processing facilities within the country rather than simply purchasing cocoa beans for processing elsewhere.
“We are not saying don’t come and buy our cocoa beans, but if you are a company out there, come and buy our cocoa beans, but add value here in Ghana,” he said.
To advance the policy, the minister disclosed that a new Cocoa Board Act before Parliament contains provisions requiring increased local processing.
A legislative instrument is expected to establish the implementation timetable for raising domestic processing levels from 50 per cent to 100 per cent by 2030.
The initiative is designed to strengthen Ghana’s agricultural value chain, create economic opportunities and increase the country’s earnings from cocoa production.
Beyond cocoa processing, the Ghanaian government is pursuing a broader agricultural modernisation programme aimed at reducing dependence on imported food products.
Forson disclosed that Ghana spends approximately $3.5 billion annually importing food items, including palm oil, sugar, rice and poultry, despite having the natural resources to expand local production.
“All we need to do is modernise agriculture,” he said.
He identified opportunities to increase domestic production of maize and soybeans for poultry feed, alongside expanding vegetable farming to support food security and reduce import expenditure.
The government believes that investment in agricultural production, processing infrastructure and modern farming techniques will help retain more value within the economy.
The proposed Ghana cocoa-processing arrangement would add to Dangote’s growing investments in agriculture, food processing and fertiliser production across Africa.
In June 2015, Dangote announced plans to invest $250 million in rice and sugarcane production around the Hadejia River Basin in Jigawa State, Nigeria.
Three years later, he inaugurated a multi-billion-naira rice mill in Jigawa with a processin
In August 2025, Dangote signed a $2.5 billion agreement with the Ethiopian government to establish a fertiliser plant. Under the proposed ownership structure, Dangote Group was expected to hold a 60 per cent stake, while Ethiopian Investment Holdings would own the remaining 40 per cent.
In May 2026, the planned investment was increased to more than $4 billion, with the expanded project incorporating a gas pipeline, power plant and NPK blending facility.
The proposed Ghana deal signals another potential expansion of Dangote’s investments into Africa’s agricultural value chain, this time focusing on cocoa processing.
If concluded, the 500,000-tonne arrangement could support Ghana’s ambition to become a major centre for cocoa value addition, while creating opportunities for industrial investment, employment and increased earnings from one of its most important agricultural commodities.
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