Ghana International Bank (GHIB) has honoured the Chief Executive Officer of Niche Cocoa Industry Limited, Mr Edmund Poku, with its inaugural ‘Trader of the Year’ award in recognition of his outstanding leadership in African commodity processing and trade banking.

The award, presented at the closing ceremony of CNVERGE ’25 in London, celebrates Mr Poku’s role in transforming Niche Cocoa from a start-up in 2011 into Ghana’s largest fully integrated cocoa processor with an annual capacity exceeding 600,000 metric tonnes. 

The company currently employs over 400 workers and sources beans from some 30,000 farmers nationwide.

Chief Executive of GHIB, Dean Adansi, said the award marked a new benchmark for African trade banking. “This inaugural award celebrates a business that exemplifies excellence in African trade banking while delivering tangible value addition to our continent’s commodity wealth. Mr Poku and Niche Cocoa Industry demonstrate how sophisticated trade finance solutions can support transformative African businesses that compete successfully in global markets,” he stated.

In his acceptance remarks, Mr Poku dedicated the honour to Ghana’s cocoa value chain. “This recognition is not just about Niche Cocoa; it is about the thousands of Ghanaian farmers, workers, and partners whose dedication makes it possible for African businesses to compete at the highest levels of global trade. Our journey proves that with the right vision, financing, and commitment to quality, Africa can capture far more value from its own resources,” he said.

The accolade comes at a time when the global cocoa sector is facing supply deficits caused by ageing plantations, disease, and extreme weather. Despite these setbacks, the global cocoa and chocolate industry, valued at US$48.19 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to US$79.37 billion by 2033.

Niche Cocoa has played a pivotal role in Ghana’s export drive, producing cocoa liquor, butter, powder, and chocolate for international markets. In 2022, the company launched its first US manufacturing facility in Wisconsin, in partnership with Omanhene Cocoa Bean Company, marking one of the largest African-led greenfield investments in America’s food sector.

Before establishing Niche Cocoa, Mr Poku worked as an investment banker with Goldman Sachs and as a management consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, experiences that he says shaped his drive to build globally competitive African enterprises.

GHIB explained that its new ‘Trader of the Year’ award will be conferred annually to recognise excellence in African trade banking and provide role models for the continent’s growing commodity markets.