Nigeria has long been a giant in cocoa production, ranking among the world’s top exporters. Yet, for decades, the country remained absent from the global chocolate industry. The pattern was painfully familiar: Nigerian cocoa beans were shipped to Europe, processed into premium chocolates, and sold back to Nigerian consumers at exorbitant prices.
The numbers were staggering. Nigeria produced over 280,000 metric tonnes of cocoa annually, yet less than 5% was processed locally into finished chocolate. The industry suffered from weak value addition, outdated infrastructure, and consumer preference for foreign brands.
But where many saw obstacles, a few visionary women saw opportunity. These Chocolate Queens—pioneering, determined, and relentless—built local brands that disrupted the industry. They not only changed consumer perception but also challenged the dominance of international brands like Ferrero Rocher, Cadbury, and Lindt.
Meet the Queens: Five Women Who Turned Cocoa into Gold
1. Kanyinsola Adeyemi, Founder & CEO, Loshes Chocolate
In 2016, Kanyinsola Adeyemi walked away from her career in architecture after an encounter with the bean-to-bar movement in Europe. She was shocked to learn that Nigerian cocoa beans—renowned for their bold flavour—were being used in some of the world’s finest chocolates, yet Nigerians had no access to high-quality, locally-made chocolate.
Determined to rewrite history, Kanyinsola launched Loshes Chocolate, a brand that focuses on single-origin Nigerian cocoa. She sourced directly from local farmers, ensuring fair prices and premium quality, while experimenting with flavors that reflected Nigeria’s rich culinary heritage.
Milestones
First Nigerian chocolate brand to retail in high-end stores in London and Dubai
Winner of the Great Taste Awards UK for her Spiced Dark Chocolate
Developed traceable cocoa sourcing, ensuring fair pay for over 500 smallholder farmers
Market Impact
12% share of Nigeria’s premium chocolate market
Pioneered the export of gourmet Nigerian chocolate
Helped elevate Nigerian cocoa from a bulk commodity to a specialty product
Legacy
Loshes Chocolate is proof that Nigerian cocoa deserves more than just exportation—it can stand on its own as a global luxury brand.
2. Mojisola Adedeji, Founder & CEO, 757 Chocolate
Mojisola Adedeji’s journey into chocolate-making began with frustration. She was planning a corporate event and wanted to gift guests high-quality chocolates made in Nigeria—but none existed.
Rather than settle for imported brands, she saw a gap in the market and launched 757 Chocolate, Nigeria’s first corporate and event-focused chocolate brand.
Milestones
Secured a major deal with Air Peace, making 757 Chocolate the first Nigerian brand served on commercial flights
Created customised chocolate gift boxes for corporate clients like GTBank and Dangote Group
Expanded into Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, challenging the assumption that Nigerian chocolate couldn’t compete regionally
Market Impact
18% market share in Nigeria’s chocolate gifting industry
Transformed the corporate and hospitality sectors into major consumers of locally-made chocolate
Legacy
By positioning chocolate as both a luxury and a corporate necessity, Mojisola built a B2B model that forced foreign brands to take notice.
Read also: Top 10 largest chocolate exporters by global market share
3. Amaka Eze, Founder & CEO, Bravia Chocolate
Amaka Eze saw an opportunity where no one else did: health-conscious Nigerians who loved chocolate but feared sugar.
As a food technologist, she researched functional chocolate bars infused with superfoods, probiotics, and natural sweeteners. This led to Bravia Chocolate, Nigeria’s first brand dedicated to sugar-free, diabetic-friendly chocolates.
Milestones
Developed Nigeria’s first zero-sugar dark chocolate, catering to diabetics and health-conscious consumers
Created cacao-nutrition bars, partnering with local gyms, wellness stores, and pharmacies
Recognised at the African Health & Wellness Awards 2023 for innovation in food sciences
Market Impact
9% of Nigeria’s specialty chocolate market
Expanded into wellness markets, competing with foreign health brands
Legacy
Bravia Chocolate proved that Nigerian-made chocolate isn’t just a treat—it can be a health-conscious choice, too.
4. Fatima Bello, founder & CEO, Fari Chocolate
While others focused on Nigeria’s local market, Fatima Bello had her sights set abroad. She realized that while Nigerian consumers were still warming up to local chocolates, global buyers were eager for premium African-origin chocolate.
She built Fari Chocolate, a brand that now exports 65% of its production to the U.S., U.K., and UAE.
Milestones
First Nigerian chocolate brand stocked in Whole Foods Market (USA)
Developed an Afro-centric chocolate & coffee pairing with Ethiopian brands
Built a sustainable supply chain supporting over 1,000 Nigerian cocoa farmers
Market Impact
50% of Nigerian chocolate exports come from Fari Chocolate
Reversed the historical trend of exporting raw cocoa instead of finished products
Legacy
Fatima turned Nigerian chocolate into an export success story, proving that local brands could compete on the world stage.
5. Chidinma Opara, founder & CEO, ChocBoy Nigeria)
While others targeted the luxury market, Chidinma Opara took a different route—affordable chocolate for everyday Nigerians.
She launched ChocBoy Nigeria, a brand that focused on mini chocolate bars priced under ₦200, making chocolate an accessible snack rather than an occasional luxury.
Milestones
Partnered with major supermarkets to introduce Nigeria’s first “Made-in-Nigeria” chocolate aisle
Developed chocolate-coated plantain chips and chin chin, blending local flavors with global appeal
Became the #1 best-selling local chocolate in supermarkets across Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt
Market Impact
22% share of Nigeria’s mass-market chocolate industry
Direct competition with Cadbury and Nestlé for affordability and accessibility
Legacy
By making chocolate accessible, Chidinma ensured Nigerians no longer had to rely on foreign brands for quality chocolate.
The Battle Against Foreign Brands: A Sweet Victory in the Making
These Chocolate Queens are rewriting history, but challenges remain:
✅ Consumer Perception: Many Nigerians still believe European chocolates are superior.
✅ Infrastructure: Poor roads, unstable power supply, and high import duties on packaging materials increase costs.
✅ Retail Distribution: Supermarkets still favor foreign brands over local products.
But the results speak for themselves:
Local chocolate brands now command 30% of Nigeria’s premium market
Government policies are shifting toward supporting local processing
More Nigerians are actively choosing homegrown brands over imports
A Billion-Dollar Industry in the Making
With the right support—investments, infrastructure, and consumer awareness—Nigeria’s chocolate industry could be worth over $1 billion in five years.
The Chocolate Queens have proven that Nigeria can own its cocoa-to-chocolate value chain. The question now is: Will we support them?
Support Nigerian Chocolate. Support Nigerian Entrepreneurs. Support the Future.
