Nigeria to host maiden Africa’s cocoa, coffee stakeholders convergence in October

NIGERIA will host a major continental gathering of cocoa and coffee stakeholders in October as industry leaders seek to strengthen value chains, improve farmers’ incomes and position Africa to benefit more from two of its most important agricultural commodities.

The Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COCEFAAA), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), cocoa and coffee-producing states and private sector partners, announced that the Cocoa and Coffee Fiesta Lagos 2026 will hold on October 7 and 8 in Lagos.

The event, with the theme: “Building a Sustainable Value Chain for Cocoa and Coffee Across West, Central and East Africa”, is expected to bring together farmers, policymakers, researchers, exporters, investors and development partners from across Africa and beyond.

Organisers said the fiesta comes at a critical time for both industries, noting that the global cocoa market is projected to grow from $169.12 billion to $245.97 billion by 2035, while the coffee sector is expected to expand from $284.8 billion to $486.2 billion within the same period.

Africa currently accounts for about 70 per cent of global cocoa production but only about 12.5 per cent of coffee production.

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According to COCEFAAA, the event will showcase Africa’s commitment to sustainable production while highlighting Nigeria’s efforts to revive its coffee industry through the Nigeria Coffee Revival Initiative and boost cocoa productivity through integrated soil management and public-private partnerships.

The alliance said these interventions are expected to expand Nigeria’s export portfolio, create jobs for young people and women, increase foreign exchange earnings, deepen rural prosperity and strengthen farmers’ resilience to climate change.

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Beyond Nigeria, the fiesta is expected to foster greater collaboration among cocoa and coffee-producing countries in West, Central and East Africa to tackle common socioeconomic and environmental challenges affecting the sectors. Organisers said a united continental approach would help protect farmers and other value chain actors from market shocks and external pressures.

A major highlight of the event will be the official launch of COCEFAAA, described as Africa’s first pan-continental membership organisation dedicated to cocoa and coffee farmers. The body aims to amplify farmers’ voices, advocate fair pricing, improve market access, promote sustainable production practices and combat child and forced labour within supply chains.

The organisation also pledged to support youth and women participation in the sectors while mobilising farmers to adopt good agricultural practices that will guarantee premium quality and deforestation-free cocoa and coffee production.

Industry discussions at the fiesta will focus on key issues, including price volatility, compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation, agroforestry expansion, integrated soil management, carbon credit opportunities, farmer income frameworks and strategies for reducing Africa’s dependence on raw commodity exports.

Stakeholders said the gathering offers an opportunity for Africa to chart a common pathway for two commodities that remain central to rural livelihoods, export earnings and agricultural transformation across the continent.