Sunbeth Global Concepts Limited, a leading Nigerian cocoa exporter, says it is constructing a 70,000-metric tonne cocoa processing factory and an 80,000-metric tonne cashew processing plant to deepen agro-industrialisation and value addition across Africa.
The two facilities, currently under construction in Sagamu, Ogun State, South-West Nigeria, are expected to be commissioned in March 2027.
Mr Olasunkanmi Owoyemi, Managing Director of Sunbeth Global Concepts Limited, announced the investment during the Africa Cocoa Finance and Investment Forum (ACFIF) held at the London Stock Exchange in a statement in Accra.
He said the investment forms part of the company’s long-term strategy to strengthen Africa’s agricultural value chains and position the continent to derive greater economic value from its commodities.
Mr Owoyemi explained that the cocoa and cashew processing plants reflect Sunbeth’s commitment to industrial-scale processing and sustainable job creation.
According to him, the cocoa processing facility will strengthen Nigeria’s position within the global cocoa processing industry, while the cashew processing plant will serve growing demand across West Africa and premium export markets in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
He said Sunbeth has evolved from a trading enterprise into an integrated processing company focused on operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.
“Scaling in this industry demands far more than capacity expansion. A 70,000-metric tonne cocoa processing plant is only as viable as the supply chain that sustains it,” Mr Owoyemi said.
He said vertical integration remains essential to the company’s future growth and sustainability strategy.
“The processing journey calls for significantly greater commitment from us. We must participate in backward integration by cultivating the crops required to feed our plants,” he added.
Mr Owoyemi said the company will also invest heavily in farmer education, financing systems, logistics, and technology to improve yields and support sustainable supply chains.
He noted that the processing plant projects form part of Sunbeth’s broader Orange Cocoa Sustainability Framework, which focuses on farmer training, quality improvement, and strategic partnerships within the cocoa sector.
He said the company believes sustainable processing capacity can only be achieved through reliable, high-quality domestic supply chains.
Sunbeth currently operates in Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon, which are among West Africa’s major cocoa-producing countries.
The company has also established offices in London, Dubai, and New York to expand access to international markets, talent, and trade finance opportunities.
Mr Owoyemi said the company’s long-term vision is for Africa not only to produce most of the world’s cocoa and cashew, but also to process and trade the commodities while retaining the full economic benefits on the continent.
He said Sunbeth’s investments in processing infrastructure, research, vertical integration, and global market access are designed to help lay the foundation for that future.
