Cameroon is increasing its earnings from cocoa by exporting more processed products such as cocoa butter, paste, and chocolate, reflecting a shift away from reliance on raw bean exports.
According to Business in Cameroon, the country generated CFA385.3 billion from processed cocoa exports in 2025, up from CFA317.9 billion in 2024, with total export volumes also rising.
The growth was largely driven by cocoa paste, which recorded a significant increase in both volume and revenue, while cocoa butter earnings also rose despite a drop in export volume, supported by higher global prices.
The report notes that this progress is linked to expanding local processing capacity, with new entrants and existing companies scaling operations, helping Cameroon surpass 100,000 tons of locally processed cocoa for the first time in the 2024–2025 season.
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What This Means For Africa
From my perspective, this is a strong signal that Africa can earn far more by processing its raw materials instead of exporting them as-is. Cameroon is showing that value addition is not just theory, it directly translates into higher revenue and stronger global positioning.
If more African countries follow this path, it could shift the continent from being mainly a supplier of raw commodities to a more competitive industrial player.
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Image Credit: African Agribusiness
