Cameroon is poised to take a significant step in adding value to its cocoa sector with the announcement of a new processing plant in Nkol-Melen, near Obala.
Scheduled to begin operations in January 2026, the factory, led by French chocolatier Olivier Bordais, will produce chocolate bars under the Chocolat Rouge brand, aiming to process locally what has long been exported in raw form.
The project reflects a growing ambition to strengthen Africa’s cocoa value chain. While the continent supplies around 70% of the world’s cocoa, less than 20% of production is processed locally, depriving producing countries of significant economic gains.
The new plant seeks to change this by integrating local farmers’ production into modern processing facilities capable of serving both national and international markets.
“Our goal is to establish a ‘made in Cameroon’ chocolate industry, creating direct benefits for farmers and local stakeholders,” Olivier Bordais said. The initiative is expected to stimulate the local sector, increase industrial employment, and provide an example for other investors considering processing operations close to production zones.
Cameroon’s cocoa industry supports thousands of rural families and represents a vital export commodity.
Until now, almost all beans have been shipped abroad, limiting the country’s capture of added value. The Chocolat Rouge project could reverse this trend, drawing international buyers keen to partner with African processing sites and creating opportunities for regional economic integration.
The plant comes amid broader efforts across Central and West Africa to encourage industrialisation, harmonize standards, and reduce dependency on raw material exports. Economists argue that local processing is essential to diversify economies, mitigate exposure to global price fluctuations, and provide sustainable income for farmers.
If completed on schedule, the Chocolat Rouge factory could mark a milestone in Africa’s cocoa sector, demonstrating the potential for locally processed chocolate to enhance incomes, create jobs, and inspire similar initiatives across the continent.
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