The Managing Director of Cocoa Marketing Company (Ghana) Limited (CMC), Wisdom Kofi Dogbey, has made a strong case for investment in Ghana’s domestic cocoa processing industry before global investors.
He made the pitch at the second African Cocoa Finance and Investment Forum (ACFIF) held on Monday, October 26, 2026, at the Wall Street, New York.
Speaking on a panel on bankable opportunities across Africa’s cocoa value chain, Mr. Dogbey pointed to investment opportunities in direct production including farm rehabilitation, domestic processing, technology, research and risk management.
According to him, existing processing factories in Ghana could run at higher utilisation if they are supported with working capital, equipment upgrades and reliable markets for finished and semi-finished products.
He noted that financing tied to processing and product offtake could significantly expand local value addition and create sustainable jobs for Ghanaians.
Mr. Dogbey also highlighted the commercial potential of innovative cocoa-based products. He cited cocoa butter soap and body pomade developed by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), and cocoa pulp beverages that could earn farmers additional income beyond beans.
He said there were also opportunities for technology providers to improve traceability and supply chain efficiency, while banks and brokers could design affordable financing and hedging products tailored for local traders and processors.
The Managing Director stressed that for cocoa projects to be bankable, they require capable operators, identifiable customers, clear commercial arrangements and financing structures matched to business cash flows.
The high-level forum brought together chocolate manufacturers, cocoa traders, supply chain participants from major producing countries, and investors from Europe and North America.
Mr. Dogbey’s participation comes at a time when reforms to Ghana’s cocoa sector, announced in February 2026, are being implemented. The reforms are expected to give fresh impetus to investment in domestic processing and greater value retention in the country.
By Robert Dela Mawuenyegah /Newswatchgh.com
