The Global President of the Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COFAAA), Comrade Adeola Adegoke,has warned that Africa could soon lose its global leadership in cocoa production if persistent challenges undermining farmers’ livelihoods and the sustainability of the cocoa ecosystem are not urgently addressed.
Speaking at the 2025 African Cocoa Summit and Awards in Accra, held under the theme “Building a Sustainable African Cocoa Ecosystem: Unlocking Economic Potentials, Driving Why Africa May Lose Global Leadership in Cocoa Production – COFAA Growth,” Mr. Adegoke lamented that despite producing about 70 per cent of the world’s cocoa, Africa’s cocoa-growing communities remain underdeveloped.
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He said the continent’s farmers continue to battle low incomes, high production costs, deforestation, illegal mining encroachment, child labour pressures, and a lack of value addition — challenges that are gradually forcing many out of production.
“All these factors are interconnected. They erode farmer confidence and open the door for other regions to overtake Africa in the coming years,” he cautioned.
The summit, organised by COFAAA and the Cocoa Roundtable Initiative (CORI) in collaboration with global cocoa stakeholders, sought to unite value chain actors in developing practical, Africa-led solutions to the ongoing cocoa crisis.
Mr. Adegoke highlighted that while the global chocolate industry is valued at over $130 billion, African cocoa farmers earn less than six per cent of that revenue.
He said many farmers still lack access to potable water, good roads, and basic social services, with their children often unable to access quality education due to financial hardship.
The COFAAA President also decried the impact of illegal mining, which he said was encroaching on fertile cocoa lands and worsening the plight of farmers.
He called for deliberate policies that encourage local cocoa processing and consumption to help Africa retain more value within its borders.
“Africa has not been taught how to consume chocolate. You’ll find a farmer who has been producing cocoa for 40 years and has never seen or tasted a chocolate bar. That must change,” he said
Mr. Adegoke urged governments and stakeholders to increase investments in cocoa communities, strengthen accountability mechanisms within the value chain, and prioritise policies that enhance farmer incomes, promote value addition, and safeguard the long-term viability of the industry.
On his part, Nana Yaw Reuben Jnr., COFAAA’s Country Director for Ghana, emphasised that cocoa farmers have long been excluded from critical conversations shaping their livelihoods.
He said COFAAA envisions a future where international partners host more cocoa dialogues in Africa where the crop is grown rather than abroad, ensuring that farmers’ voices are not only heard but lead the conversation.
His words: “Cocoa is fundamentally an African commodity. Europe does not grow cocoa; it sources every bean from African soil.
“It is therefore only right that Africa receives due recognition and fair participation in decisions shaping the global cocoa economy.”
Nana Yaw reiterated the need for fair pricing, genuine inclusion, and African-led leadership to build a vibrant, sustainable cocoa sector that truly benefits those at the heart of the value chain.
