Ghana Targets 60% Boost in Coconut Export Revenue, Launches AFRICOBOD to Lead Africa’s Coconut Industry

By Joylinda Laryea / 16 September 2025

The Government of Ghana has unveiled an ambitious plan to increase the country’s annual coconut export earnings by nearly 60%, from $11.4 million to $18.1 million, as part of a broader strategy to position Ghana and the continent as a global hub for coconut production and trade.

Announcing the initiative at a press briefing, Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives on Agriculture and Agribusiness, said the move is designed to solidify Ghana’s standing as Africa’s leading coconut exporter while boosting competitiveness on the international market.

“The expected outcomes are bold and transformational, expanding cultivated area from 90,000 hectares to 110,000 hectares, and eventually to 150,000 hectares in the medium term,” Dr. Otokunor stated. “Most importantly, this initiative will increase export revenue by 60%, from $11.4 million to more than $18.1 million annually.”

As part of the strategy, the government is also supporting the establishment of the African Coconut Board (AFRICOBOD), which will be headquartered in Ghana. AFRICOBOD is expected to unite coconut-producing countries across Africa, offering a continental platform for collaboration, investment, and innovation in the coconut value chain.

“This is a pivotal step in making Africa and Ghana in particular, a dominant player in the global coconut industry,” Dr. Otokunor added.

To support the expansion drive, the government has launched the Three Million Coconut Seedlings Program, aimed at distributing elite coconut seedlings to farmers, cooperatives, and young agri-preneurs. The initiative will expand cultivation by an additional 20,000 hectares nationwide.

Farmers can now register for the program through a simplified digital process via the official portal: www.piaa.gov.gh.  Registration closes on September 30, 2025.

“This is a major opportunity for farmers and agribusiness players to tap into a fast-growing global market,” Dr. Otokunor said. “The process is quick and accessible anyone with a smartphone, tablet, or computer can register using basic details such as name, contact, farm location, and acreage.”

The initiative marks a significant step in the government’s ongoing efforts to diversify agricultural exports, improve farmer livelihoods, and increase Ghana’s foreign exchange earnings through agribusiness development.