Maya Forstater

The jump from 'should diversify' (yes!) to '..through benefaction of commodities' (really?!) often seems based on belief in hidden/easy margins in value chains. Basis of internationally competitive jewellery or confectionary biz not based on where raw material is @stephen_yeboah

That's the long-standing structure, but not the standard. Like #India with the diamond value chain, African countries can be competitive with #cocoa value chain. An added advantage is that African countries produce more than majority of global cocoa output.

Yet most chocolate manufacturing centres have managed without the advantage of being centres of cocoa farming. So it is not clear that it is an added advantage! e.g. @cesifoti 's work on product space depending on capabilities

Certainly, there are benefits to adding value to #cocoa: bringing economic spin-offs to #Switzerland, the Netherlands, US. etc. It can be done in #Africa too. This is why governments are beginning to rethink the whole chain, not just producing and exporting raw beans.

This is a good article on this topic. With a focus on fixing binding constraints & the targeting of the growing market in #Africa, there is scope to capture a larger share of the pie. See Cemoi and Olam new chocolate factories in #cotedivoire https://qz.com/981562/ghana-ivory-coast-are-marketing-more-chocolate-to-the-world/ …

Re product space, while #cocoa doesn't score all that well I think this is partly due to West Africa's dependence on commodity exports & lack of value addition efforts. It can support cost reduction in other agri & light manuf sectors eg cosmetics, soaps, animal feed, beverages