The Lagos state government has disclosed plans to build three cocoa processing plants by 2025 with a production capacity of at least 10,000 metric tonnes yearly.
This was disclosed by the state’s commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem who represented the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the International Cocoa and Chocolate Forum held in Lagos.
According to her, the current administration hopes to leverage the strategic geographical position of the state to turn it into a major cocoa trading hub in Nigeria.
He further stated that the state hopes to train and empower around 20,000 cocoa agro-processors and SMEs by 2025 under diverse initiatives.
The Commissioner noted that adding value to Nigeria’s cocoa industry requires a strategic partnership between different stakeholders in the cocoa value chain to generate revenue and create jobs, economic diversification and development.
