A China-backed cocoa processing plant is nearing completion on the outskirts of Abidjan, signaling a major stride in Cote d’Ivoire’s ambition to add value to its top export commodity. Built by China Light Industry Nanning Design Engineering Co., Ltd., the factory—spanning 21 hectares in the PK24 Industrial Park, will be the country’s first modern, state-owned cocoa facility.
Capable of processing 50,000 tonnes annually, the complex is a key component of the Ivorian government’s strategy to locally process 100% of its cocoa production by 2030. As the world’s largest producer and exporter of cocoa, just 30% of the country’s output is transformed within its borders, with the majority still exported as raw beans.
Chinese engineers are working hand-in-hand with Ivorian technicians to finalize installations ahead of the official handover this month. The facility is not only poised to increase domestic value addition but is also emerging as a catalyst for skills transfer, youth employment, and industrial modernization.
Cocoa farmers and local operators express optimism, noting how the partnership with China is bringing long-needed transformation to the sector. “We are witnessing a shift from exporting raw materials to producing finished goods at home,” said one farmer, highlighting the positive economic ripple effects.
Officials say this collaboration reflects broader agricultural cooperation between Africa and China, rooted in infrastructure development and knowledge exchange. Ivorian Minister of Agriculture Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani hailed the project as a model for upgrading value chains, stressing the importance of integrated solutions over isolated investment.
As shipping containers of processed cocoa products prepare for global export from Abidjan’s port, the message from local producers is clear: it’s time for the world to recognize Cote d’Ivoire not just as a cocoa grower, but as a chocolate-making nation.
