Cote d’Ivoire’s $233 Million Cocoa Factory: A New Era for African Value Addition

Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s leading cocoa producer, has taken a bold step to transform its agricultural sector by inaugurating a $233 million cocoa grinding factory in the Akoupé Zeudji industrial zone near Abidjan. This state-of-the-art facility, covering 21 hectares, is a cornerstone in the country’s strategy to process at least half of its cocoa locally. The move is expected to reshape not only the Ivorian economy but also set a new standard for value addition across Africa.

Transforming Africa’s Cocoa Industry
For decades, Africa’s cocoa sector has been characterized by the export of raw beans, with most of the value captured by foreign processors and chocolate manufacturers. This new factory signals a shift in that paradigm. By investing in domestic processing, Côte d’Ivoire aims to:

• Increase export revenues by selling higher-value cocoa products rather than raw beans.
• Reduce dependence on foreign multinationals and foster the growth of local industry leaders.
• Retain more value within the country, supporting economic development and job creation.

Capacity, Facilities, and Economic Impact
The factory’s initial annual processing capacity is 50,000 tons of cocoa beans, immediately boosting the nation’s domestic capabilities. Its comprehensive infrastructure includes:

• A storage warehouse with a capacity of 160,000 tons.
• A dedicated training center for cocoa and chocolate professions.
• An administrative building to support operations and management.

The project is expected to create approximately 1,400 jobs, offering new opportunities for local communities. Special emphasis is placed on upskilling youth and women, preparing them for careers in cocoa-based industries and supporting broader social development goals.

Looking ahead, the factory is central to the government’s strategy to process 50% of the country’s cocoa output locally within two years, up from about 44% currently. While official sources have not confirmed the claim of producing 210,000 tons of cocoa products in two years, the facility’s expansion and national targets suggest a significant increase in processed output.

Human Stories and Local Empowerment
Beyond its industrial scale, the factory is already making a difference at the human level. Cocoa farmers and workers anticipate improved livelihoods as more of the value chain shifts closer to home. The inclusion of a training center demonstrates a commitment to building local expertise and supporting the next generation of African food technologists, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.

Regional Significance and Pan-African Ambition
Côte d’Ivoire’s investment is resonating across Africa, inspiring other cocoa-producing nations such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon to pursue similar strategies. This move aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), both of which prioritize industrialization, regional trade, and economic transformation. By leading in value addition, Côte d’Ivoire is positioning itself—and the continent—for a more influential role in the global chocolate industry.

Key Features and Impact at a Glance

Côte d’Ivoire’s new cocoa grinding factory, located in the Akoupé Zeudji industrial zone near Abidjan, represents a major investment of $235 million and covers 21 hectares. The facility is designed to process 50,000 tons of cocoa beans annually, which doubles the capacity of the state-owned company Transcao CI to a total of 100,000 tons when combined with its existing plant in San Pedro.

The factory includes a storage warehouse with the ability to hold 160,000 tons of cocoa, as well as a dedicated training center for cocoa and chocolate professions, and an administrative building. This comprehensive infrastructure is expected to create approximately 1,400 jobs, with a focus on providing new opportunities and skills for youth and women in local communities.

Côte d’Ivoire produces about 40% of the world’s cocoa, but historically, most of its output has been exported as raw beans, with only about 30% processed locally as of 2024. The government’s strategy is to increase domestic processing to at least 50% of production within the next two years. This shift aims to capture more value within the country, reduce the dominance of foreign multinationals in the cocoa processing sector, and empower local industry players.

The facility’s launch is part of a broader national effort to industrialize the cocoa sector, diversify the economy, and align with regional goals such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area. By investing in local processing capacity and training, Cote d’Ivoire is not only strengthening its economic resilience but also setting a new benchmark for value addition in Africa’s agricultural sector.

By focusing on local processing, skills development, and regional leadership, Cote d’Ivoire is not only transforming its cocoa industry but also setting a benchmark for the rest of Africa. This initiative stands as a testament to the country’s vision for sustainable growth and economic empowerment.

Conclusion
The launch of the $233 million cocoa factory is more than an industrial milestone for Côte d’Ivoire; it symbolizes Africa’s ambition to control its economic destiny, empower its people, and redefine its place in the world market. As the country works to process more of its cocoa domestically, it sets a powerful example for Africa’s agricultural future—one that is people-centered, forward-looking, and proudly Pan-African.