The Federal Government says it is committed to scaling up Nigeria’s cocoa production to 500,000 tonnes by 2025, while ensuring full adherence to the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) to maintain access to key export markets.
Speaking at the Nigeria-EU Cocoa Roundtable on EUDR Compliance in Abuja on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, Kingsley Uzoma, described cocoa as “a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda,” stressing its role in shifting the country away from oil dependency.
“Cocoa is no longer just a commodity; it is a strategic lever in our economic transformation,” Uzoma said. “It currently accounts for roughly 29 per cent of agricultural exports and 5.6 per cent of overall non-oil exports.”
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, cocoa exports surged by 606 per cent in the last quarter of 2024 — rising from about ₦171bn in Q4 2023 to ₦1.2tn.
Uzoma noted that the EUDR requirements — which include supply chain traceability, due diligence, and proof of deforestation-free production — align with Nigeria’s green economy drive.
“We are deploying innovation in traceability technologies such as blockchain and satellite mapping, while also strengthening farmer support programmes to boost yields without encroaching on forests,” he explained.
The presidential aide revealed that over 300,000 smallholder farmers produce about 80 per cent of Nigeria’s cocoa output, contributing roughly six per cent to global supply. However, he warned that financing constraints must be addressed to meet targets, proposing “a dedicated cocoa sector credit line with flexible repayment terms.”
On institutional collaboration, Uzoma said work had begun with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council to enhance research and innovation in the cocoa value chain, while plans were underway to designate an agency to manage sector data for transparency.
He emphasised that meeting EUDR standards could unlock opportunities such as climate finance, carbon credit schemes, and the expansion of local cocoa processing zones. “Nigeria stands ready and resolute,” he declared.
“With our rich heritage in cocoa production and a clear policy roadmap, we can position our cocoa as a global symbol of sustainability, innovation, and shared prosperity.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olajumoke Oduwole, underscored the role of technology in ensuring compliance and improving productivity.
“By bringing space technology into the mix, we can clearly distinguish farm practices through satellite imaging. This plays a critical role in enabling Nigerian farmers to secure funding and meet global standards,” she said.
Oduwole described the EU — which takes over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s cocoa exports — as a critical market, making compliance an “economic, environmental, and developmental imperative.”
She added that the government had set sectoral targets to boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and advance food sovereignty in line with President Bola Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy vision.