Ghana, Africa’s leading coconut producer, has announced plans to double the area devoted to coconut cultivation by 2028, aiming to strengthen its position in the regional market and boost export revenues, officials said.
Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, said the government intends to expand plantations to 180,000 hectares, up from the current cultivated area. The expansion is part of a broader effort to increase both production and earnings from coconut-based products.
Data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show that Ghana produced 544,773 tons of coconuts in 2024, accounting for nearly 24 percent of Africa’s total output of 2.3 million tons. The government expects the new initiative to raise export revenues by about 60 percent, from US$11.4 million in 2024 to US$18.1 million annually in the medium term.
The plan is anchored in the Coconut Value Chain Development Initiative, launched in September 2025. The program, financed by the Ghana Export-Import Bank, aims to distribute nearly 11 million high-yield, disease-resistant coconut seedlings to farmers across 11 producing regions by 2028.
According to official sources, 3 million seedlings were already distributed to producers in 2025. With an expected survival rate of about 90 percent, the new plantations should begin yielding harvests within three years, providing a steady supply for domestic consumption and export.
The initiative also includes training and capacity-building programs for farmers. The first session, held on February 6 in Kumasi, brought together 500 coconut farmers and agricultural extension officers from the Ashanti and Western North regions. Participants received guidance on agronomic best practices, pest management, and techniques to enhance yield and quality.
Authorities said the expansion is expected to strengthen the coconut value chain, from farm production to processing and export. The increased production base should also support the development of value-added products, such as coconut oil, desiccated coconut, and other processed goods, creating more opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
“Doubling the area under coconut cultivation will consolidate Ghana’s leadership in the African coconut market, improve livelihoods for thousands of farmers, and enhance the country’s export earnings,” Otokunor said.
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Ghana has long been a major player in Africa’s coconut industry, and the government’s plan reflects a growing emphasis on agribusiness-led economic growth. Analysts note that expanding both the scale and quality of production could help Ghana meet rising regional and global demand for coconut products while supporting rural development.
The Coconut Value Chain Development Initiative is part of broader efforts to modernize Ghana’s agricultural sector, including improvements in access to finance, technology, and extension services. By providing farmers with disease-resistant seedlings, technical training, and market support, the government hopes to create a sustainable and competitive coconut industry over the next decade.
