For over 150 years, 100% of Togo’s cocoa was exported. Farmers grew the beans, traders bought and shipped them overseas, and factories in distant countries transformed them into chocolate. Then, these same beans returned to Africa – packaged, branded, and priced beyond the reach of the very hands that cultivated them. Nathalie Gambah Kpante saw the injustice in this cycle and decided it was time for a change.
After attending a training workshop in Italy, where she learned the intricacies of chocolate production, she asked herself why Togo couldn’t make its chocolate. That question led to Chocotogo, the country’s first locally owned chocolate company, which proved that Togo can be a producer, a market leader, and a driver of economic transformation.
Building Chocotogo from scratch
Starting Chocotogo was a radical move. There was no established industry to follow, no local demand for chocolate, and no consumer culture around it. Unlike in Europe or North America, where chocolate is a staple, many Togolese people saw it as an expensive and unnecessary foreign luxury.
Another hurdle was convincing farmers of the benefits of local processing. Most had never even seen chocolate made from their beans. Without major investors, the company had to rely on small grants, competition prizes, and reinvested profits to build its foundation. Yet Nathalie refused to back down. With nothing but vision and determination, she set out to create a new reality for Togo’s cocoa industry.
Chocotogo is the first company in Togo to process cocoa beans into chocolate locally. The company specialises in handmade, organic chocolate and sources 100% Togolese cocoa. It incorporates local ingredients such as peanuts, coconut, and ginger to create unique flavors.
They keep processing within Togo to ensure that profits and opportunities remain in the country instead of flowing to foreign corporations. Farmers no longer sell raw beans for minimal returns; they receive training on quality production standards and earn double the market rate for their cocoa.
Chocotogo’s impact
Chocotogo’s chocolates are now enjoyed in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire. The company sources cocoa from more than 1,700 smallholder farmers, equipping them with knowledge, fair wages, and direct participation in the chocolate-making process. They provide stable employment for over 60 people, primarily women and youth, ensuring that the benefits of local production extend beyond farmers to the entire community.
Internationally, Chocotogo has obtained organic, Fairtrade, and Rainforest Alliance certifications, reinforcing its commitment to ethical and sustainable chocolate production. The company has also received multiple awards, including “Best Young Company” (2015) and “Young Agricultural Entrepreneur” at Expo Milano.
