The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) have joined African governments, research institutions and private-sector stakeholders to advance strategies for strengthening the continent’s cocoa and coffee industries.
Their representatives participated in the two-day Africa Cocoa and Coffee Conference in Lagos, which brought together more than 200 delegates to discuss farmers’ welfare, local processing, market access and Africa’s competitiveness in the global commodities market.
Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, was represented by Ajayi Olutobaba, Deputy Director of Tree Crops, while NEPC was represented by Benedict Itegbe.
The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), represented by a delegation led by its Acting Executive Director, Dr A.R. Adedeji, also participated in the conference, alongside representatives of the National Cocoa Management Committee and the governments of Lagos, Abia, Ondo and Cross River states.
Discussions at the conference focused on improving farmers’ incomes, expanding domestic processing, strengthening product traceability and enabling African producing countries to retain a greater share of the value generated by cocoa and coffee.
Delegates from Sierra Leone, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya and other producing countries shared experiences in regulatory reform, agricultural research, product branding and farmer support.
Sierra Leone presented reforms to its produce monitoring framework, investments in processing facilities and an agricultural health insurance scheme for farmers. Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire highlighted the Living Income Differential, while Ethiopia and Rwanda showcased geographical indication branding to improve product recognition and market value.
Nigeria’s contribution included seed research by CRIN, reflecting efforts to strengthen production and improve the competitiveness of the country’s cocoa industry.
The conference also adopted the Lagos Declaration 2026, which outlines commitments to improving farmers’ welfare, increasing productivity, promoting sustainability and expanding local value addition. Participants further adopted the Lagos Pact on Commodity Integrity as a proposed common African position ahead of the African Union Summit in February 2027.
A new Lagos Continental Co-Design Council was announced to coordinate implementation of the agreements under an 18-month roadmap.
The conference attracted representatives of international and development organisations, including the International Labour Organization, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, the World Cocoa Foundation, Rainforest Alliance and Lutheran World Relief/TRACE, as well as farmers’ groups, processors, exporters and financial institutions.
The outcomes are expected to provide a framework for greater cooperation among governments, research institutions and industry stakeholders to strengthen Africa’s position in global cocoa and coffee value chains.
The post Agric Ministry, NEPC Join Stakeholders to Advance Strategies for Strengthening Cocoa, Coffee Industries in Africa first appeared on AgroNigeria.