Nigeria's agriculture minister says a surge in cocoa exports could help shift Africa’s top economy away from its reliance on oil.
Akinwumi Adesina, speaking at the 2014 Cocoa Summit in Abuja on Monday, said Nigeria expects to generate $1.3 billion in revenue from cocoa exports this year, a 45 percent jump from two years ago.
He said Nigeria is on track to produce 370,000 tons of cocoa this year, compared to 250,000 tons in 2012.
Adesina also said the government is committed to boosting cocoa production to 500,000 tons by next year and to 600,000 tons by 2016.
Nigeria is the fourth biggest cocoa producer behind Indonesia, Ghana and top grower Ivory Coast.
Some information for this report comes from AP, AFP and Reuters.
