By Omowunmi Sanni

The Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COCEFAAA), has called on other stakeholders across Nigeria and Africa to invest in the wealth that lies within the cocoa value chain, as the future of cocoa is not in the farm gate; but the processing plant, the factory floor, and the finished products.

The Global President of COCEFAAA, Comrade Adeola Adegoke, who was reacting to the announcement of two landmark processing facilities currently under construction – a 70,000-metric tonne cocoa processing factory and an 80,000-metric tonne cashew processing plant by Sunbeth Global Concepts Limited, commended the private-sector leadership of the firm on the initiative.

He said the announcement of the landmark facilities made by the Managing Director, Mr. Olasunkanmi Owoyemi at the Africa Cocoa Finance and Investment Forum (ACFIF), at the London Stock Exchange, represents one of the most significant investments in Nigeria’s agro-industrial history.

He said: “Thatsuch a declaration was made on the global stage of the London Stock Exchange is not incidental; it signals to the world that Nigeria and Africa are ready and capable of producing more processed cocoa at industrial scale.

Adegoke noted that Sunbeth’s trajectory: from a domestic trading enterprise less than a decade ago to one of Nigeria’s foremost cocoa exporters operating in Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon, with international offices in London, Dubai, and New York, is itself a testament to what focused, strategic investment in agriculture can achieve.

He added that the company has now taken the decisive next step: from exporter to integrated processor. “This transition will enable Sunbeth to retain greater value within Nigeria and Africa, supply global chocolate manufacturers with semi-finished cocoa ingredients, and position Nigeria more competitively within the global cocoa economy.

“The dual investment is not merely about volume. It reflects a conviction that world-class ambition demands world-class infrastructure. As Mr. Owoyemi rightly observed, a processing plant of this scale is only as viable as the supply chain that sustains it. Sunbeth’s commitment to vertical integration – from cocoa bean to finished product is the correct architecture for a sustainable agribusiness enterprise.”

He called on government at all levels – federal, state, and local, to offer Sunbeth and similar enterprises the enabling environment they deserve – reliable infrastructure, stable power supply, accessible financing, and consistent agricultural policy.

“COCEFAAA also takes this opportunity to reaffirm its recognition of Starlinks Global & Ideal Limited, Johnvents Groups, Olam Groups for their giant strides in the Nigeria cocoa processing subsidiary and development. Johnvents Industries Limited in particular is a trailblazer in Nigeria’s cocoa value chain investment.

“COCEFAAA stands, as always, as a voice for the farmers, the processors, the exporters, and the advocates who believe in the transformative power of Africa’s agricultural resources. We are heartened by the direction that Nigeria’s cocoa industry is taking.

“We are encouraged by the boldness of Sunbeth, Johnvents, Starlink Global, and Olam. And we remain committed to advocating in Nigeria, across Africa, and on every global platform for a future in which African cocoa is not merely grown in Africa, but processed, finished, and valued in Africa,” he said.