Producing lists of chocolate companies in Africa is a big task.
This is a big task because there are not a lot of chocolate manufacturing companies in Africa. Over 70 percent of the world’s cacao is grown in Africa and exported abroad. Yet only 1 percent of all chocolate is made in Africa – even less by Africans themselves.
Cocoa bean which comes from the cacao tree is the main ingredient of chocolate. Africa grows the main ingredients of chocolate but produces very little chocolates.
The two west African countries of Ghana and Ivory Coast produce about 50percent of the world cocoa bean. However, Africa supply raw materials but not too many companies in Africa manufacture chocolate.
In this article, I am exploring some of the chocolate-making factories in Africa. I am focusing on chocolate makers who produce chocolates specifically in Africa.
Chocolate Companies in Africa
LoshesChocolate
In 2015, Femi Oyedipe founded LoshesChocolate in Nigeria. LoshesChocolate now produces Made in Nigeria chocolates.
Nigeria is one of the largest producers of cocoa bean in the world. This makes it easy for LoshesChocolate to have access to the finest cocoa beans. The company produces handcrafted premium quality chocolates.
Cocoa Processing Company Limited
This company based in Ghana uses the premium Ghana cocoa beans to produce fine chocolates. Their products are consumed in Ghana and also export abroad.
Cocoa Processing Company Limited (CPC) is a state-owned company based in Tema, Ghana.
The company was established in 1965 and incorporated as a limited liability company on November 30, 1981.
This company is massive because they are publicly listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange since February 14, 2003.
De Villiers
This chocolatier is located within a historic Cape Dutch estate in the Spice Route in Paarl, South Africa.
They produce 100% African Chocolates ethically and sustainably sourced cacao from small scale farmers in the Bundibugyo region, Western Uganda.
De Villiers is one of the few African Chocolatiers certified by UTZ certified.
The CEO of this master chocolate maker is Pieter De Villiers.
Their chocolates are crafted from the renown scenic Cape winelands in South Africa.
‘57 Chocolate
‘57 Chocolate is a Ghania chocolatier who cultivate the concept of “Ghanaian luxury.” This company was co-founded by two sisters Priscilla Addison and Kimberly Addison.
They use their creativity and authenticity to produce some of the finest chocolates that come from Africa.
57 from their brand name originates from Ghana Independence year which is 1957.
Pod Chocolates
This chocolatier based in Nigeria pride themself in making chocolate in small batches with locally sourced cocoa beans.
They handcraft locally sourced cocoa beans to silky smooth chocolates. Their chocolate is without preservatives.
Pod Chocolates creates the first-ever Zobo (Hibiscus) chocolate in Nigeria.
Diogo Vaz
Diogo Vaz is São Tomé and Príncipe chocolate maker.
The company produce organic luxury chocolate from rare cocoa varieties in the island of São Tomé and Príncipe.
They are on a mission to promote Africa made chocolate to the world.
Lowa Chocolate Factory
Kalinda Salumu, a grandfather took the courage to turn plantations abandoned after Congo’s independence into productive cooperatives that now produce cocoa beans and chocolates.
Lowa Chocolate Factory is located in Goma, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The factory produces premium quality organic chocolates mainly for local consumption.
One of the local customers said, “Since I tasted this chocolate, I haven’t been able to put it down.”
Fairafric is a German-Ghanaian social business. They are revolutionising the chocolate world by not just producing premium quality organic chocolate but also helping create jobs.
They produce world-class chocolate from tree to bar in rural Ghana.
They believe the job they create through their chocolate factory will lead to higher income for local people. Through their job creation, people will have better access to higher education and health care.
Midunu Chocolates
The brain behind Midunu Chocolate is chef Selassie Atadika. This is a Ghanian based chocolatier who tap into the opportunity of the growing middle class.
Midunu products are high quality and loved by native Ghanaians, returnee, expatriates and tourists.
Afrikoa
Heirloom Cocoa Beans from Tanzania is the source of raw materials for this chocolate maker. They are based in South Africa.
They produce the first African chocolate to be made with heirloom cocoa beans.
Afrikoa chocolates are made in Africa. Their chocolate is the first African grown and produced to win a 2-star Great Taste Award.
They believe in growing the art of chocolate-making within Africa.
MIA
MIA source their cacao in Madagascar. MIA makes their chocolates in Madagascar.
They have won several awards including a 2-star Great Taste Award for the 65% Dark Baking Chocolate.
They craft their chocolate exclusively with fine flavour cocoa from the volcanic soil of Sambirano Valley, Northwest Madagascar
Cemoi
For Cemoi, making chocolate is their exclusive profession. They invested in fermentation and drying centres in various cocoa-producing countries including Ivory Coast.
They have a chocolate producing factory in Ivory Coast. They source their cocoa bean locally.
They work with cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast to improve the quality of harvesting.
Being in total control of the cocoa manufacturing process helps them to ensure the quality of their products.
Cemoi is a French Chocolatier who has a chocolate factory in Ivory Coast.
Beyond Good
There are thousands of chocolate makers in the US. However, there are very few of them who make chocolates at source in Africa.
Beyond Good is one of the very few US brands who have a chocolate-making factory in Africa. They make some of their chocolate products in Madagascar.
Their business model does not allow intermediaries in their supply chain. They source directly from local cocoa farmers which help the farmers to increase their income.
Beyers Chocolates
Founded in 1987 by a Belgian born confectioner. Beyers Chocolates is a family business located in South Africa.
At Beyer Chocolates, they have a passion for making high-quality confectionery.
Their products are also stocked by some of South African’s leading retailers.
