Cocoa beyond Borders: Sustainability, Compliance, and the Future of Global Markets Conference, 27 – 28 January 2026, London, UK
Cocoa beyond Borders: Sustainability, Compliance, and the Future of Global Markets Conference, 27 – 28 January 2026, London, UK
This conference provides a unique platform for cocoa farmers, co-operatives, exporters, traders, manufacturers, and government representatives to come together, share insights, explore best practices, and engage in open, solution-driven dialogue around sustainability, compliance, and trade, all in an informal and collaborative setting.
International Cocoa Diplomacy (ICD), in partnership with Nielsonsmith, will bring the Cocoa Beyond Borders Conference to London, UK on 27 – 28 January 2026
Bringing together a diverse and influential group of participants, from local and national government representatives, international finance institutions, and development agencies to cocoa farmers, cooperatives, exporters, traders, and manufacturers, the event will explore the future of global cocoa through the lenses of sustainability, compliance, and market innovation.
With a focus on fostering international collaboration and dialogue, the conference provides a dynamic platform for discussing practical solutions, building new partnerships, and advancing shared goals across the cocoa and chocolate value chain. Attendees will engage in high-level conversations around responsible sourcing, regulatory alignment, trade facilitation, and the socio-economic development of cocoa-producing regions.
Set in a professional yet collaborative atmosphere, Cocoa Beyond Borders is more than a conference, it’s a catalyst for shaping the future of cocoa on the global stage.
- HRM Oba Dokun Thompson, Founder, International Cocoa Diplomacy, ICD & The Oloni of Eti-Oni, Osun State, Nigeria
- Hon. Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food
Security, Nigeria - Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Hon Minister – Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigeria
- HRM Queen Angelique-Monet Gureje-Thompson, Director, ICD
- Prince Bimbo Olashore, President, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce
- Mr. Elvis Angyiembe, Cocoa Farm Owner & Investor, Cameroon
- Ms. Chantal Coady OBE, Founder, Chocolate Detective
- Mr. Thierry Touchais, Country Representative Europe, Rainforest Alliance, France
- Mr. Ato Boateng, Deputy Chief Executive (Finance and Administration), Cocobod, Ghana
- Ms. Sophie Jewett, MD, York Cocoa House
- Prof. Tilo Huhn, Head, Center for Food Composition and Process Design, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)
- Prof. Irene Chetschik, Head, Food Chemistry Research Group, Institute of Food and Beverage Innovation,
Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) - Mr. Fuad Abubakar, Head, Ghana Cocoa Marketing Company London
- Ms. Stephanie Gabrielle Betts, Founder & CEO, Climate 1 UK
- Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, Senior Special Assistant to the Nigerian President on Agribusiness & Productivity Enhancement
- Mr. Eddy Abdurrachman, His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for Africa, UK Dept for Business & Trade
- Prof. David E. Salt, Director, Future Food Beacon of Excellence, University of Nottingham
- Ms. Louise Barrett, Head of Nestle Research and Development Centre for Confectionery, York
- Dr. Hanne Volpin, Co-Founder/CTO, Celeste Bio Limited
- Mr. Neil Barston, Publisher, Confectionery Production Magazine
- His Excellency Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Hon Minister of Industry, Indonesia
- Ms. Maria Smith, MD, Chief Impact Officer, British International Investment Plc
- Ms. Heike Harmgate, MD, Sub-Saharan Africa, EBRD
- Dr. Adiya Ode, Country Rep and Political Director, Propcom+ Nigeria
- Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, MD/CEO, Common Fund for Commodities, Netherlands
- Mr. Ben Coleman, MP, UK Trade Envoy to Francophone West Africa
- Mrs. Morag Webb, Head of Science and Policy, COLEAD, Brussels, Belgium
- Ms. Lindsay Oliver, MD, Africa Media Works
- Dr. Olugbenga Oyewole, MD, Milky-Way Visuals Ltd
- Dr. Seun Adeluyi, SA (Technical) to DG National Space Research and Development Agency, Nigeria
- Mr. Francesco Tramontin, VP, Global Public Affairs + Inst’l Affairs and Corp Comms, Area Europe, Ferrero Group
- Mr. Peter Macjob, BBC Business Correspondent
- Ms. Julia Ines Ocampo, Director of Sustainability, LUKER Chocolate, Colombia
- Prof. Kenneth M. Strzepek, Research Scientist, Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, MIT
- Ms. Natalie Quintero, Global B2B Marketing Director, CORDILLERA Chocolate, Colombia
- Mr. Adegoke Adeola, Country Rep and Political Director, Propcom+ Nigeria
- Ms. Kate Kallot, Founder/CEO, Amini
- Mr. Tedd George, Founder and Chief Narrative Officer, Kleos Advisory UK
- Ms. Kate Kanyi-Tometi Fotso, MD, Telcar Cocoa, Cameroon
- Ms. Daphne Busseniers, Strategy & Insights, Lead Snack Futures Ventures, Mondelez Int’l
- Mr. Fayyaz Muneer, Deputy Director, Prudential and Sustainability, HM Treasury
Day 1
08:00 – 08:50 Registration Opens, Early Morning Breakfast and Networking
09:00 – 09:10 Welcome remarks: HRM Queen Angelique-Monet Gureje-Thompson, Director, ICD
09:10 – 09:20 Opening Address: Mr. Ben Coleman MP, UK Trade Envoy to Francophone West Africa
09:20 – 09:40 Conference Keynote Address: Hon. Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Nigeria
09:40 – 10:40 Panel Discussion: Green Compliance or Green Protectionism
10:40 – 11:10 Morning refreshments break and networking
11:10 – 12:00 Carbon Compliance or Climate Colonialism? The EUDR–Carbon Nexus in Cocoa
Landscapes
12:00 – 13:15 NETWORKING LUNCH
13:15 – 14:15 Panel Discussion: Strategic Alliances: Africa, South America and the CPTPP
14:15 – 15:00 Digital Traceability, Legal Risk, and Market Access
15:00 – 15:30 Afternoon networking and refreshment break
15:30 – 16:15 AI, Surveillance and Smart Production & Compliance: Risks and Rewards
16:15 – 17:15 Panel Discussion: Natural vs Cell-Cultured Cocoa – Innovation, Flavour, and the Future of Cocoa Products.
17:30 – 18:30 Conference Networking Drinks Reception
Day 2
08:00 – 08:55 Morning refreshments and Networking
08:55 – 09:15 Goodwill Message by His Excellency, Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the UK
09:15 – 09:45 Keynote Address: From Forest to Fork: Indonesia’s Role in Rebalancing Trade,
Sustainability, and Global Cocoa Market Access
09:45 – 10:15 Keynote Presentation – Dispute Resolution in a Fragmented World: The Legitimacy Gap in Global Trade Law beyond the WTO
10:15 – 10:45 Morning refreshments break and networking
11:00 – 11:45 Panel discussion – Drivers of the Consuming Regions, Part 1
10:45 – 12:00 Panel Discussion: Building Trade and Finance Sovereignty for Cocoa Nations
12:00 – 13:15 NETWORKING LUNCH
13:15 – 14:15 Panel discussion: Cocoa Futures, Volatility, and African/Asian Market Exposure
14:15 – 15:15 Panel discussion: Green Bonds, ESG Loans, and Cocoa Treasury Instruments
15:15 – 15:30 Closing Remarks: HRM Oba Dokun Thompson Gureje IV
15:30 – 16:00 Workshop: Designing a Cocoa Trade Compact + Communiqué Presentation
16:00 – 17:00 Afternoon refreshments and Networking
END OF CONFERENCE
If you are interested in speaking at this conference, please contact Mr. Alex Terry on alex.terry@nielsonsmith.com
Please contact your NielsonSmith representative to discuss the programme in more depth.
Meet Our Co-Organiser
ICD is a UK-registered not-for-profit international organization founded and established in 2020 as a platform deploying a bottom-up approach and solutions to respond to the vast and growing resource gaps and sustainability challenges faced by cocoa-producing communities worldwide. ICD will build bridges between production and consumption through collaborations, partnerships and cross-regional learning exchanges that offer shared value and wealth creation opportunities that will trigger the transformation of cocoa-producing regions, return farmers’ self-worth and dignity and catalyse an empowered successor generation of farmers and cocoaprenuers to undertake ethical, socially responsible, environmentally friendly and sustainable cocoa production and engage in viable value addition and local processing activities along the value chain. ICD will be working to build the cocoa culture for better understanding and appreciation in producing regions through its several events and activities that will bring together cocoa farmers across cocoa-producing regions of the world, cocoa processors and traders, industry actors, cocoa researchers and experts, policy and decision-makers, chocolate makers, equipment manufacturers, cocoa value and supply chain players and all key stakeholders to achieve its objectives which will include programmes/projects for pre and post-harvest activities as well as implementing strategies for innovative cocoa farming practices, cocoa transparency, climate smart solutions, quality assurance, digitization, blockchain interventions and traceability. In this regard, ICD will also promote the business-to-business opportunities between consuming nations and producing regions towards the standardization, marketing and trading of cocoa beans, value-added cocoa derivatives and premium chocolates and authentic confections.
Should you wish to become our Partner at this event, please contact Mr. Alex Terry on alex.terry@nielsonsmith.com
2-Day pass and the Company-wide Post-Event Microsite license for 1 year: £999
Discount price for Government/Not-for-Profit: £ 499
Discount price for Small Chocolatiers (up to 10 employees): £ 350
The in-person event includes sessions, lunch, refreshments and available documentation. Please contact us for Groups. Please note: “Vendor” companies may attend as sponsors only.
Venue
Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill
30 Portman Square, London W1H 7BH
Accommodation Allotment
TBC
Information
Delegate tickets are for in-house participants only. Compliance vendors may only attend by becoming a sponsor, please request a prospectus via the button below. Vendors purchasing tickets will not gain access to the event and will receive only a 70% refund.
