Former President John Agyekum Kufuor is set to headline the Africa Cocoa Finance & Investment Forum 2026 (ACFIF) in London on May 6, where investors, policymakers and industry leaders will examine how Africa can capture more value from the global cocoa economy. The forum is scheduled to take place at the London Stock Exchange.
The summit will be held under the theme “Africa Cocoa Vision 2050 – Historical Reflections and Future Pathways.” Organisers say Mr Kufuor will deliver a special address drawing on his experience as both a former head of state and a cocoa farmer, with a focus on industrialisation, regional integration and long-term growth in Africa’s cocoa sector.
The event comes at a time when African producers remain central to global cocoa supply but continue to receive only a small share of the wider chocolate value chain. Organisers say the forum is intended to mobilise finance and partnerships to help change that structure.
Mr Kufuor’s appearance is expected to revive discussion about Ghana’s cocoa reforms during his presidency. During that period, cocoa output rose strongly, supported by programmes such as mass spraying and fertiliser support, while government also pushed incentives for domestic processing.
A major issue expected to feature at the summit is value addition. Discussions are set to explore how African countries can move beyond exporting raw beans into processing, chocolate manufacturing and other higher-value uses of cocoa.
The forum is also expected to address international market pressures, including compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation, which will require cocoa and other listed commodities placed on or exported from the EU market from 30 December 2026 to be proven deforestation-free.
With climate pressures, traceability demands and financing gaps all weighing on the sector, the London meeting is being positioned as an early attempt to align Africa’s cocoa future with new global market realities.
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