Table of Contents
Key Points
- Ghana’s wealthiest woman, Patricia Poku Diaby, has transformed Plot Enterprise Group into a major player in global cocoa production and exports.
- Poku Diaby is the only African woman to establish a large-scale cocoa processing plant, competing with multinational corporations in a male-dominated sector.
- With a net worth exceeding $400 million, Poku Diaby champions sustainability, fair trade, and economic empowerment for farmers and emerging entrepreneurs.
Patricia Poku Diaby is no stranger to breaking barriers. As Ghana’s wealthiest woman and one of Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs, she has built more than just a business empire—she has redefined what success looks like in one of the continent’s most vital industries: cocoa.
At the helm of Plot Enterprise Group, a commodities trading and processing powerhouse, Poku Diaby has strengthened Ghana’s role as a global leader in cocoa production and exports. Her impact goes beyond business; she has changed the narrative of African entrepreneurship, proving that local companies can compete with multinational giants.
From family business to cocoa empire
Poku Diaby’s journey to the top wasn’t accidental—it was built on years of hands-on experience. She grew up in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, where she learned the ropes of trade and logistics at her father’s transport and trading company. That early exposure gave her deep insights into commodity trading and shaped the business instincts that would later define her career.
In 2010, she took a bold step into the cocoa industry, founding Plot Enterprise Group. What started as a vision soon grew into a multinational company with operations in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. Today, Plot Enterprise is a symbol of industrial growth in West Africa, leveraging technology, sustainability, and farmer empowerment to drive the sector forward.
Poku Diaby’s leadership reshapes cocoa industry
With nearly three decades in commodities trading, Poku Diaby has positioned Plot Enterprise Group as a major player in the global cocoa market. The company operates a state-of-the-art cocoa processing plant in Takoradi, Ghana, with an annual capacity of 32,000 metric tonnes. It also runs a 16,000 metric-tonne grinding plant in Abidjan, solidifying its presence in the region.
But what truly sets her apart is not just the scale of her operations—it’s the fact that she remains the only African woman to have built a large-scale cocoa processing facility. In an industry long dominated by multinational corporations and male executives, her achievement is nothing short of groundbreaking.
As Founder and Chair of the Board of Directors, she oversees cocoa sourcing in both Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, ensuring her company stays at the forefront of industrialization. But her impact extends far beyond business.
Under her leadership, Plot Enterprise has championed sustainability initiatives, promoting ethical farming practices and improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers. By prioritizing fair pricing and better working conditions, she is helping shift the balance of power in the cocoa supply chain, ensuring that local farmers benefit from the wealth their labor creates.
Poku Diaby’s wealth and influence grow
Poku Diaby’s business success has made her one of Ghana’s most influential figures, with an estimated net worth of over $400 million, making her the richest woman in the country. But beyond the numbers, her work is shaping Ghana’s economic landscape and inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs.
Despite her immense success, she remains deeply committed to philanthropy, focusing on education and economic empowerment, particularly for women and youth. She has been a vocal advocate for greater inclusivity in the business world, using her platform to mentor and uplift emerging entrepreneurs.
Her ability to thrive in a male-dominated industry is a testament to her resilience, strategic thinking, and commitment to excellence. She continues to break barriers, proving that with vision and determination, success knows no limits.
A lasting legacy
Patricia Poku Diaby’s contributions go far beyond business; she is shaping the future of Ghana’s industrial sector. By championing sustainable cocoa production and ethical trade, she is setting a new benchmark for Africa’s commodities industry.
Her impact is not just reflected in the success of Plot Enterprise Group but also in the countless opportunities she has created—whether through job creation, farmer empowerment, or philanthropy.
As she continues to expand her empire, one thing is certain: Patricia Poku Diaby is more than Ghana’s wealthiest woman—she is a trailblazer whose legacy will be felt for generations. Her story is one of determination, innovation, and leadership, cementing her as one of the most influential figures in African business today.
