The study investigated the suitability of cocoa bean shell (CBS), a by-product from cocoa processing industry as alternative energy source for animal feeding when subjected to a two-stage solid state fermentation with Pleurotus ostreatus and Aspergillus niger. It involved the optimization of the fermentation period by the afore-mentioned fungi. The already dried shells were milled into 2 mm particle size, composted and pasteurized. particle size. The degradation of the complex carbohydrates by the fungus increased the level of soluble carbohydrates from 35.05 to 45.30% which resulted in a 33.64% increase in metabolizable energy (M.E) in the fermented product. The calcium, phosphorus and potassium contents of the P. ostreatus fermented shells were also significantly enhanced (p