In a significant step toward industrial transformation, Côte d’Ivoire has launched a new cocoa processing complex in the town of Divo, aiming to shift the country’s economic model from raw export to local value creation.
The facility, named Cacao SA, represents a major investment of 32 billion CFA francs (approximately $56.4 million), according to reports from the Ecofin Agency. With an annual processing capacity of 36,000 tonnes, the plant is poised to become a cornerstone in the country’s bid to expand its agro-industrial base.
The complex features five production lines dedicated to the manufacturing of various cocoa-based products, including cocoa paste, cocoa butter, and chocolate. This marks a significant departure from the historical trend of exporting raw cocoa beans with limited local transformation.
“This investment is not just about numbers. It’s a major shift in strategy—one that focuses on building national value,” said a government official at the launch.
Ivory Coast is the world’s leading cocoa producer, yet it continues to process only a small share of its harvest. With the commissioning of modern industrial facilities like Cacao SA, supported by progressive public policy, the government aims to change that narrative.
The launch of the Divo plant aligns with the broader ambition of creating skilled employment opportunities in cocoa-growing regions, enhancing national revenues, and strengthening resilience to global commodity price volatility.
For analysts, the move sends a strong message to stakeholders along the cocoa value chain: the future lies in processing locally, creating finished and semi-finished goods within national borders, and transforming the agricultural sector into a true engine of industrial growth.
As the global chocolate industry continues to grow, Ivory Coast’s efforts to climb the value chain could reshape the country’s role from raw supplier to a key player in finished cocoa product markets.
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