Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is extending his industrial footprint into Ghana, setting the stage for a major shift in the country’s sugar sector. In what could become a landmark for Ghana’s local manufacturing, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc has announced plans to build a $162 million sugar processing facility in the Bono East region, specifically in Kwame-Danso.
This isn’t just another business venture, it’s a bold economic move aimed at reducing Ghana’s dependence on imported sugar, which currently costs the country over $160 million annually. With global supply chains becoming increasingly uncertain, this investment couldn’t come at a more critical moment.
The planned facility is set to process up to 12,000 tons of sugarcane per day and will be supported by a sprawling 25,000-hectare irrigated plantation. Beyond sugar, the refinery will churn out valuable by-products such as molasses and ethanol, a boost for both Ghana’s agro-processing sector and its budding biofuel industry.
“The project is not just a factory, it’s a catalyst for self-sufficiency, employment, and continental transformation,” Dangote Group said in a post on LinkedIn, emphasizing the deeper vision behind the initiative.
Local stakeholders and policy watchers see this as a strategic complement to Ghana’s “One District, One Factory” policy. This is a national effort to encourage industrialization at the grassroots level. For Bono East, a region often overlooked by large-scale investment, this project could be the turning point: job creation, technology transfer, rural development, and new markets for farmers are all on the horizon.
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A source from the Dangote Group confirmed that land has already been identified for the refinery and preliminary agreements are in motion. Once operational, the project is expected to ripple through multiple sectors — from agriculture to energy — while also reducing Ghana’s vulnerability to external price shocks.
This move fits into Dangote’s wider vision of expanding integrated agriculture across Africa. In Nigeria, his sugar business already leads the market with a crushing capacity of 1.44 million tonnes. In its most recent financial report ending March 31, 2025, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc posted a revenue jump of 74.3%, reaching ₦213.9 billion (about $133.2 million), driven by strong demand and better operational efficiency.
Analysts also note that this Ghana expansion aligns well with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) goals, promoting regional integration and homegrown value chains. It’s an example of intra-African trade that moves beyond talk into real, long-term infrastructure.
“This is more than a business decision, it’s a commitment to building Africa’s capacity from within,” the company reiterated.
If the project moves at its expected pace, Kwame-Danso may soon become a household name not just in Ghana, but across the continent, a symbol of what’s possible when vision meets investment.
