Dangote Wants 500,000 Tonnes Of Ghana’s Cocoa – Ato Forson Reveals Major Deal Under Discussion

Ghana could be heading towards a major transformation of its cocoa industry following the disclosure that Nigerian billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote is in talks with the government to process 500,000 metric tonnes of Ghana’s cocoa locally.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson revealed that the Dangote Group has expressed interest in making Ghana a major centre for cocoa processing, instead of exporting the country’s cocoa beans to other countries for processing.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on November 12, 2026, after presenting the 2027 Budget to Parliament, Dr Forson said Dangote had personally contacted him and President John Dramani Mahama about the proposed arrangement.

According to the Finance Minister, discussions are ongoing, with both sides currently examining the terms of the proposed contract.

He explained that the Nigerian industrialist is ready to come to Ghana and invest in local cocoa processing, a move that could support the government’s ambition to keep more value from the country’s cocoa industry.

Dr Forson stressed that Ghana must stop depending heavily on exporting raw cocoa beans while other countries process them into finished products and make more money.

He argued that companies interested in purchasing Ghana’s cocoa should also be prepared to process the beans within the country.

The proposed arrangement comes at a time when the government is targeting the local processing of at least 50 per cent of Ghana’s cocoa by 2028, with the ultimate goal of processing 100 per cent locally by 2030.

The Finance Minister also disclosed that the new Cocoa Board Act before Parliament contains provisions to make local processing mandatory.

If successfully implemented, the plan could create opportunities for local industries to produce more cocoa butter, powder, chocolate, cosmetics and other cocoa-based products.

It could also support industrial growth, create employment opportunities and increase the value Ghana earns from its cocoa resources.

However, the proposed 500,000-tonne arrangement is still under discussion, and no contract has been signed yet.

The development has opened a fresh conversation about Ghana’s ability to move beyond exporting raw cocoa and become a major processing hub in Africa.

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