LEAF Webinar: The Future of Africa's Cocoa Economy

​The Future of Africa’s Cocoa Economy: Creating Value Beyond the Bean

​Africa produces more than 70% of the world’s cocoa, yet captures only a small share of the value created from the global chocolate industry. Most cocoa is exported in its raw form, processed elsewhere, and imported back as finished products, limiting industrial growth, job creation, and wealth retention across the continent.

​Join LEAF Africa for an insightful webinar exploring how Africa can move beyond exporting raw cocoa to building a competitive, value-added cocoa economy through processing, manufacturing, investment, and regional trade.

​This discussion will bring together industry leaders and experts to examine the structural challenges facing Africa’s cocoa sector, the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the investments needed to strengthen regional value chains.

​What you’ll learn

• ​Why Africa continues to export raw cocoa despite dominating global production.

• ​The future of cocoa processing and value addition across Africa.

• ​How AfCFTA can unlock intra-African cocoa and chocolate trade.

• ​Emerging investment opportunities across the cocoa value chain.

• ​What governments, investors, entrepreneurs, and manufacturers must do to build a more competitive African cocoa industry.

​Date: Thursday, 13 August 2026

​Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM (WAT)

​Platform: Zoom

​Speakers

• ​Emmanuel Arowojolu, Head of Operations, LEAF Africa (Moderator)

• ​Nkechi Amangbo, CEO/Founder, Thamani Invest Limited

• ​Ahmed Adeagbo, Managing Director, Rasad Nigeria Limited

​Whether you are an investor, entrepreneur, policymaker, agribusiness professional, researcher, or simply interested in Africa’s economic future, this webinar will provide practical insights into one of the continent’s most strategic industries.