Accra: The Global President of the Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COFAAA), Comrade Adeola Adegoke, has called for an urgent and united African action to transform the continent's cocoa industry from dependency to prosperity. Speaking at the African Cocoa Summit and Awards 2025 held at the University of Ghana, Accra, Comrade Adegoke described the summit as 'a historic convergence of voices, a call for unity, and a solemn moment of truth for Africa's cocoa sector.'

According to Ghana News Agency, the two-day summit, organised by COFAAA in partnership with the Cocoa Roundtable Initiative (CORI), brought together government representatives, private sector players, researchers, development partners and farmers from across the continent on the theme 'Building Sustainable Africa Cocoa Ecosystem: Unlocking Economic Potentials, Driving Inclusive Growth'.

In an address, Comrade Adegoke Adeola declared that Africa must move from being a mere exporter of raw cocoa beans to becoming a 'producer of finished cocoa products and a controller of its own destiny.' 'Cocoa is not just a commodity; it is a livelihood, a legacy, and a lifeline for millions of African families,' he said. 'If Africa produces 70% of the world's cocoa, then Africa can and must claim its rightful share of value, dignity, and prosperity.'

Adegoke lamented the imbalance in the global cocoa economy, where African farmers earn less than USD $2 per day while major multinational processors and chocolate manufacturers capture over 90% of the profits. 'This is not just an economic injustice; it is a moral one,' he stated. 'The hands that grow the cocoa should not live in poverty. The same farmers whose sweat sustains a $130 billion global chocolate market must begin to share in that wealth.'

He warned that unless bold structural reforms are implemented, African cocoa producers risk losing their global leadership position to emerging competitors such as Ecuador and Brazil, who are rapidly increasing both production and value-chain integration. 'The era of exporting 100% raw beans and importing finished cocoa products and derivatives to Africa for consumption must end. Africa's cocoa story must be rewritten by Africans, for Africans,' Adegoke declared emphatically.

Mr. Nana Yaw Reuben Jr., Country Director of COFAAA-Ghana, added: 'You cannot hold cocoa talks in Europe and expect Africa to benefit fully. Cocoa must be known as an African commodity, not a European one.' Participants agreed that true transformation must begin with policy dialogues led in producing countries, not in foreign capitals.

They identified three key priorities: African-Led Cocoa Policy and Governance, Local Processing and Industrialisation, and Farmer Welfare and Sustainability. The COFAAA Global President also addressed pressing issues such as child labour, deforestation, and gender inequality within the sector. 'We cannot speak of sustainability when the farmers who grow our cocoa are hungry,' he said.

The summit drew distinguished attendees from across EU countries, UK and Africa's cocoa-producing nations. Development partners in attendance included representatives from the Sustainable Cocoa Initiative Programme - GIZ and Lutheran World Relief / Corus International. Value chain stakeholders and farmers from various African countries were also present, strengthening the summit's grassroots representation.

The event climaxed with the African Cocoa Awards, celebrating exemplary institutions and corporate cocoa actors that have advanced the continent's cocoa development agenda. Ghana's COCOBOD, Nigeria's NCMC, Cameroon's ONCC-NCBB, and C´te d'Ivoire's Conseil du Caf©-Cacao were honoured for their leadership and innovation in promoting sustainable cocoa policies.

In his closing remarks, Comrade Adegoke reaffirmed COFAAA's commitment to driving the continent's cocoa agenda through its PPC Framework. 'This summit is not a ceremonial gathering,' he declared. 'It is a declaration of intent, to rewrite the story of African cocoa from survival to prosperity, from vulnerability to strength, and from isolation to collaboration.'

The Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COFAAA) is a continental organisation committed to uniting cocoa farmers, amplifying their voices, strengthening cooperative systems, promoting sustainability, and advocating policies that ensure fair value distribution across the cocoa value chain.