On Tuesday, the federal government said it would boost its cocoa production to 500,000 metric tonnes by 2025 from the 340,000 recorded in 2022.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investments, Nura Rimi, stated this at the Abuja’s Pre-National Trade Dialogue Series meeting.
Also at the event, Oba Dokun Gureje IV., the Oloni of Eti-Oni and Founder of International Cocoa Diplomacy, emphasised the need for Nigeria to shift its focus from domestic consumption to a trade-driven economy.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the programme’s theme is “The State of Nigeria’s Global Trade Ecosystem: Bridging the Gaps for a Renewed Programme.”
The permanent secretary was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Commodities and Export, Kaura Irmiya. Rimi, while highlighting the importance of cocoa in the nation’s economic development, said that Nigeria was the world’s sixth-largest cocoa producer. “Our cocoa exports have grown significantly, with a revenue increase of 50 per cent in 2022. We aim to increase cocoa production to 500,000 metric tonnes by 2025.”
