Nigeria Confirms No Ban on Raw Cocoa Exports

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, clarified that there are no plans to ban the export of raw cocoa beans. This statement was made to dismiss reports suggesting such a ban, reaffirming the government's priority to promote value addition and increase local processing rather than restrict exports.

Kyari explained that the cocoa policy is designed to strengthen the industry and improve returns for farmers, thereby benefiting the national economy. The government aims to continue exporting raw cocoa while creating conditions that encourage investors to establish local processing facilities.

This aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to build a globally competitive cocoa sector and expand domestic processing capacity without disrupting Nigeria's role in international cocoa trade. Kyari reiterated that raw cocoa exports remain a crucial component of Nigeria's export strategy, emphasizing the government's commitment to enhancing agricultural exports and ensuring compliance with international standards.