Dangote Turns Attention To Ghana’s Cocoa Industry – Ato Forson Reveals Shócking 2028 Target

According to a report by Ghanaian citizen TV on Friday November 13, 2026, African business magnate Aliko Dangote has expressed interest in using Ghana as a major centre for cocoa processing, with an ambitious target of processing more than 50 per cent of the country’s cocoa locally by 2028.

The development was disclosed by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who revealed that the Nigerian billionaire has reached out with a proposal aimed at expanding Ghana’s cocoa processing capacity and strengthening the country’s position in the global cocoa industry.

According to the Finance Minister, Dangote is interested in leveraging Ghana’s strategic position and established cocoa industry to support efforts to increase local processing rather than allowing a significant proportion of the country’s cocoa beans to leave the country in their raw form.

The proposed arrangement, if successfully implemented, could represent a major development for Ghana’s agricultural and industrial sectors, particularly at a time when the government is seeking ways to maximise the economic benefits derived from the country’s natural resources.

Ghana is one of the world’s leading cocoa-producing countries, but the issue of limited local processing has remained a major concern among policymakers and industry stakeholders.

For years, a considerable proportion of the country’s cocoa has been exported as raw beans, leaving opportunities for additional value creation through processing and manufacturing.

Increasing domestic processing could allow Ghana to earn more from its cocoa industry by producing cocoa butter, cocoa powder, chocolate and other finished products for both local consumption and international markets.

Dangote’s reported interest in establishing Ghana as a processing hub could therefore create opportunities for industrial investment, employment and stronger participation in the international cocoa value chain.

The 2028 target is particularly significant because achieving it would require substantial investment in processing facilities, infrastructure, technology and reliable access to cocoa supplies.

It could also strengthen Ghana’s ambition to move beyond the traditional export of raw agricultural commodities and become a major destination for value-added manufacturing in West Africa.

Dr Ato Forson’s disclosure has consequently drawn attention to the potential role of private-sector investment in transforming Ghana’s cocoa industry.

However, the proposed plan will depend on the details of the discussions, the scale of investment involved and the practical arrangements required to achieve the target.

If realised, the initiative could mark an important shift in Ghana’s cocoa industry, with more of the economic value generated from the country’s cocoa production retained within the domestic economy.

The prospect of Dangote choosing Ghana as a major cocoa processing destination also raises expectations about the country’s industrial future, particularly as the government seeks to attract investments capable of creating jobs and boosting export earnings.

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