The construction of the Chocolat Rouge chocolate factory in Nkol-Melen, near Obala in Cameroon’s Centre Region, moved a step closer to production on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, following a joint inspection by the Ministers of Commerce and Agriculture. The project forms part of Cameroon’s broader strategy to expand local agro-industrial transformation and strengthen the cocoa value chain. Officially launched in June 2024, the Chocolat Rouge project represents an estimated investment of nearly FCFA 40 billion. Beyond production, the factory is expected to create jobs, support skills transfer and professional training, and reinforce linkages between farmers’ cooperatives and industrial processors. According to government officials, the Obala facility reflects ongoing efforts to promote import substitution and expand domestic processing capacity.