The International Cocoa and Chocolate Forum (ICCF) is the main platform by International Cocoa Diplomacy (ICD) for networking, partnerships, collaboration, ideas and cultural exchange, bilateral trade, opportunities, learning and forming new alliances. The ICCF – Nigeria edition was organized by ICD in partnership with the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) and Nigerian Export and Import Bank (NEXIM Bank). The event was a call to action to continue the discussion where policy formation will meet investment requirements for the sole purpose of creating the cocoa culture that will begin to intentionally add value to cocoa and create wealth at origin to reduce dominance of the industry by consuming regions and to also explore ways for shared value and prosperity creation purposes. The theme of the event was: “Putting Value in Cocoa at Producing Regions”.

Abuja session brought together policy makers, financial institutions and stakeholders from across the Nigeria to exploit ways of taking advantage of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other emerging cocoa and chocolate markets to optimize the potentials. It took take place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Tuesday 9th January, 2024. The Institute was fully represented at the event led by the Executive Director (ED), Dr. Patrick Adebola, while the Director and Cocoa Programme Leader, Dr. Samuel Orisajo and Assistant Director and Head Crop Improvement Division, Dr. Anna Muyiwa were members of the team.