The Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COFAAA) has announced a landmark two-day summit aimed at tackling persistent inequities in the global cocoa industry. The Africa Cocoa Summit and Awards will take place from October 22 to 23, 2025, at the ISSER Conference Centre, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra.
Speaking in a statement on Monday, COFAAA’s Global President, Comrade Adeola Adegoke, said the summit would serve as a rallying point for farmers across the continent who produce more than 70 percent of the world’s cocoa yet receive meagre returns in the $130 billion global industry.
“The time has come for Africa’s cocoa farmers to speak with one voice. This summit is not just a conference; it is a platform for action,” Adegoke declared.
Under the theme “One Voice, One Future – For a Thriving Africa”, the event will focus on pressing issues such as fair trade, transparent pricing, and equitable market access. Other key topics will include climate-friendly farming, supply chain traceability, and policy frameworks to boost regional cooperation.
Farmers from major cocoa-producing nations including Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cameroon are expected to participate, alongside stakeholders from government, trade, and civil society.
The summit will also address emerging threats like the advent of synthetic cocoa, which could pose a long-term risk to African agricultural exports.
A highlight of the event will be the inaugural COFAAA Cocoa Awards, which will honour individuals and organisations championing innovation, sustainability, and leadership in the cocoa sector.
“With global cocoa prices hitting record highs, this is a crucial moment for Africa to demand reforms that reflect the real value of our labour and our land,” Adegoke added.
COFAAA urged African governments, the private sector, and international partners to back the summit and collaborate on long-term solutions that prioritise farmers’ welfare and economic justice.
