By Moyofoluwa Ogunyemi
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has again received resounding commendation for spearheading the landmark 30% Raw Materials Value Addition Bill, a policy designed to ensure that at least 30% of Nigeria’s raw materials are processed locally before export. The commendation came from the Oloni of Eti-Oni, Co-convener and founder of the International Cocoa Diplomacy (ICD), HRM Oba Dokun Thompson Gureje IV, during the 2025 Eko Chocolate Show held from Friday, 8th November, to Saturday, 9th November at Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos. The event was organized by the International Cocoa Diplomacy (ICD) in partnership with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) to explore the full potential and vast investment opportunities within Nigeria’s cocoa value chain.
Speaking at the event, Oba Thompson praised RMRDC for its foresight, noting that the value addition bill will give new direction and structure to all segments of Nigeria’s raw materials, including cocoa value chain. He described the policy as a bold step capable of transforming Nigeria from a commodity-dependent economy into one that generates wealth through value-added production. He emphasized that local processing will stimulate manufacturing, promote industrial growth, create jobs, and improve earnings for farmers and entrepreneurs. According to him, “RMRDC has set the tone for true economic transformation. Every link in the cocoa value chain now have potential for renewed direction and opportunity. No other country has yet fully explored the business and logistics potentials embedded in cocoa like Nigeria is now positioned to do.” Oba Thompson noted that with the proposed Value Addition Bill gaining national momentum and industry support, Nigeria is now positioned to become a continental hub for cocoa innovation, premium chocolate production, and sustainable industrialization, retaining value within the country and creating wealth for Nigerians across the value chain. Oba Thompson, during his remarks also revealed that cocoa pods and husks, typically discarded as wastes, can be converted into black soap, biogas, fertilizers, and eco-friendly products, opening multiple new revenue streams for farmers and SMEs.
While delivering her remarks, the convener of the show, HRM Queen Angelique-Monet Thompson, highlighted that although West Africa produces about 70 percent of the world’s cocoa, the region captures less than 2 percent of the $140 billion global chocolate economy. She stated that with the premium chocolate sector growing at over 7 percent annually and more than 80 percent of global consumers preferring ethically sourced chocolate, Nigeria has a huge opportunity to dominate the emerging African chocolate identity. She reiterated that value addition must become the national priority if Nigeria is to benefit from the global market instead of remaining a supplier of cheap raw beans.
Granting interview, the RMRDC Lagos State Coordinator, Mrs. Uchechukwu Ojiakor, reaffirmed that the Council is committed to ensuring that the 30% Value Addition Bill translates into real industrial impact. She disclosed that the bill has passed the third reading at the House of Representatives, and will soon be transmitted to the President for assent. She further explained that RMRDC is actively promoting sourcing of indigenous raw materials, indigenous processing technologies, collaborating with fabricators, and strengthening capacity for SMEs so that entrepreneurs can adopt local machinery instead of depending on imported equipment. She noted that the goal is sustainability, local competence, and industrial development.
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The RMRDC exhibition stand at the event showcased the complete cocoa value chain, from harvested pods to finished chocolate, helping visitors to understand the business opportunities available in processing, packaging, logistics, branding, marketing, and export. Several stakeholders expressed interest in partnerships that would enable value addition and small processing clusters across cocoa-producing states.
Other key industry leaders at the event were the Chairman of Trade Promotions at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Prince Abimbola Olasore, Director-General of LCCI, Dr. Chinyere Almona, amongst others.
