By Akpan A
In a strategic move to position Akwa Ibom State as a key player in Nigeria’s non-oil export sector, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), has stepped up efforts to address the challenges in the cocoa sector through a one-day stakeholders’ workshop.
The workshop, themed “Shaping the Future of Cocoa for Export,” was recently held in Uyo, drawing together major stakeholders from across the cocoa value chain. The aim: to foster dialogue, identify key bottlenecks, and chart a sustainable path forward for cocoa development and export from Akwa Ibom State.
Present at the event were the Honourable Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Dr. Ubong Inyang; representatives of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN); members of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN); investors; processors; and farmers.
In his opening remarks, the NEPC State Coordinator Mr. Idongesit, underscored the significance of cocoa to Akwa Ibom’s economic future. “This workshop is not just a talk shop,” he stated. “If cocoa receives the investment and attention it deserves across its value chain, the returns will be transformational for the state’s economy.”
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The State Coordinator of RMRDC Mr. Akpan A. J. reinforced the Council’s mandate under the Raw Materials Deletion Programme. He explained that the initiative seeks to identify raw materials with comparative advantage for potential removal from the import list — thereby encouraging local production and self-reliance. “We hope this workshop will stir investor interest and lead to cocoa becoming one of those raw materials recommended for deletion,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring that at least 30% value addition is achieved locally before export, in line with national policy goals.
Addressing the audience, the Honourable Commissioner, Dr. Ubong Inyang, called on investors to go beyond cultivation and focus on processing and packaging to add value to cocoa and other agricultural products. “Every product made in Akwa Ibom should be export-ready and value-added,” he said, issuing a challenge to stakeholders to build a fully integrated cocoa economy within the state.
The NEPC coordinator outlined a framework for sustainable cocoa development, calling for robust publicity about the availability of cocoa in the state and prioritizing cluster formation among value chain players. He also urged the establishment of a central hub for cocoa aggregation, grading, and marketing.
Challenges raised during the workshop included: lack of a central marketing location for cocoa, delays in the distribution of improved seedlings to farmers, insufficient government involvement, and the absence of a comprehensive cocoa value chain assessment report.
As a way forward, Dr. Inyang recommended that a roundtable of cocoa value chain actors be convened by the Ministry of Trade and Investment. He assured stakeholders that the state government is willing to support any initiative aimed at strengthening the cocoa sector and boosting export potential.
The collaboration between RMRDC and NEPC marks a promising step toward unlocking the vast economic potential of cocoa in Akwa Ibom. With continued stakeholder engagement and policy support, the state may well become a hub for high-quality, export-ready cocoa products in Nigeria and beyond.
