Nigerian Businessman and Industrialist Aliko Dangote is seeking to expand Ghana’s cocoa-processing capacity through a proposed investment that could see more than half of the country’s cocoa processed locally by 2028.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson disclosed that Dangote had personally approached him and President John Dramani Mahama with plans to establish Ghana as a major processing hub.

The Minister made the disclosure during an interview on Joy News’ PM Express on Thursday, November 12, 2026, following his presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament.

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He said the proposal includes a plan to process 500,000 metric tonnes of cocoa in Ghana, adding that discussions on the terms of the proposed arrangement were ongoing.

Dr Forson explained that the investor had indicated a willingness to undertake the project on a large scale before identifying Dangote as the businessman who had made the approach.

“He wants to process more than 50% of our cocoa here in Ghana. And he thinks he can do that by 2028,” the Minister said.

He also confirmed that the industrialist had contacted him directly and was prepared to come to Ghana to pursue the proposal.

While the government is seeking to attract major investors into the cocoa-processing sector, Dr Forson stressed that local businesses would also be encouraged to participate in the initiative.

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The proposal comes amid the government’s broader efforts to move away from exporting raw commodities and increase the processing of Ghana’s natural resources locally.

AS/MA

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