Edmund Poku and Dean Adansi
Ghana International Bank (GHIB) has presented its inaugural ‘Trader of the Year’ award to Chief Executive Officer of Niche Cocoa Industry Ltd., Edmund Poku, recognising exceptional achievement in African commodity trade banking and value-added processing at the closing ceremony of CNVERGE ’25.
The award honors Mr. Poku’s leadership in transforming Niche Cocoa from a startup in 2011 to Ghana’s largest fully integrated cocoa processing company, with annual processing capacity exceeding 600,000 metric tons and generating approximately US$120 million in annual revenue.
The company directly employs over 400 workers while sourcing cocoa beans from approximately 30,000 farmers across Ghana.
“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,” Dean Adansi, Chief Executive Officer of GHIB explained.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Poku dedicated the award to the broader cocoa value chain that sustains Ghana’s position in global markets. “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 recognition comes at a critical time for the global cocoa industry.
The formal recognition included a comprehensive citation reading and ceremonial presentation, emphasizing the institutional significance of the inaugural award.
GHIB established the annual ‘Trader of the Year’ award to recognize excellence in African trade banking while providing role models for market development. The award addresses GHIB’s commitment to celebrating demonstrated achievements in African commodity finance rather than solely focusing on future aspirations.
A Business Desk Report