Government is encouraging international investors to invest in Ghana’s agrifood systems and related sectors, assuring that such investments will deliver broad benefits for both investors and the Ghanaian people. Speaking at the Ghana Deal Room session during the 2025 Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Dakar, Senegal, Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku and Presidential Advisor for 24 Hour Economy & Accelerated Export Development, Augustus Obuadum Goosie Tanoh, assured that Ghana is open for business.
“Ghana is a place to invest and go. We are approximate within the 425 million people in ECOWAS. And 1.4 billion people under AfCFTA (The African Continental Free Trade Area),” he explained. “And if you combine us and the rest of Africa, believe me, we have a very great market and strength going forward, particularly with our youthful population,” Mr. Tanoh said.
Mr. Opoku explained: “The strategy is, under the 24-Hour Economy, we want all the factories and companies to run for 24 hours. In three shifts. 8 hours each. If they can do this, then they require tripling of the raw materials that they use.” “So huge opportunities exist in the production of the raw materials to ensure the factories stay in business for the 24-hour economy. That is why we are saying that the opportunities exist,” he added. “Let’s invest in production, storage, processing and along the value chain, create the jobs to empower our processors to process for us. And reduce the huge import bill that’s affecting our economy,” he concluded.
AFSF, an annual event organized by AGRA, is Africa’s premier platform for dialogue and action on food systems transformation. Under the theme “Africa’s Youth Leading Collaboration, Innovation, and Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation,” this year’s forum has brought together heads of state, policymakers, researchers, agribusiness leaders, investors, and youth entrepreneurs to shape the future of food on the African continent. Over 6,000 attendees from 113 countries are having high-level discussions and making commitments on how to improve Africa’s agrifood systems.
Moderated by country director of AGRA Ghana, Dr. Betty Annan, the Ghana Deal Room session, themed “Feeding Prosperity Through Smart Investments in Ghana,” promoted strategic investment opportunities aimed at driving youth employment, reducing import dependency, and advancing value addition and industrialization. The session explored investment prospects in boosting the production of rice, soya, poultry, and vegetables. Additionally, it highlighted efforts to encourage climate-smart, resilient economic growth, and showcase how public-private collaboration is driving transformative change in the country.
Madam Paulina Addy of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture told the audience that government is rolling out the Feed Ghana Programme (FGP), which seeks to accelerate transformation of the agricultural sector by boosting domestic production, cutting import dependency, and expanding exports. The FGP is structured around several innovative sub-programmes. These include crop and livestock development to improve yields and resilience, the establishment of farmers’ service centres to provide mechanization, veterinary, and extension support, and the creation of farm banks to secure land and infrastructure for youth and women.
Investment opportunities showcased at the Forum spanned several key sectors. Rice remains a top priority, with Ghana importing over $400 million annually to meet demand. The government is encouraging investment in medium to large-scale rice mills, backed by nucleus farms and outgrower schemes. Similarly, the soya value chain offers huge potential, with rising demand for poultry and fish feed as well as consumer food products. The poultry sector also stands out, as Ghana spends another $400 million annually on imports. Opportunities exist along the entire value chain, including, feed production, day-old chicks production, large-scale broiler farms, processing plants, cold chain facilities, and packaging.
Head of Strategy for the 24-Hour Economy Mr. Abdul-Nasser Alidu explained that the 24-Hour Economy Programme is a bold initiative aimed at unlocking bankable, de-risked, high-growth opportunities across agriculture, logistics, industry, and services. A flagship project under this programme is the Volta Economic Corridor, which seeks to transform the Volta River Basin into a dynamic special economic zone, blending agriculture with agro-industrial development.
He explained that under the programme, the 24-Hour Economy National Secretariat provides oversight and policy coherence, but execution lies firmly in the hands of private sector anchors. He explained there will be the establishment of agroecological parks, where crops will be cultivated and processed domestically on a large scale for local consumption and exports, creating value and jobs locally.
Meanwhile, industrial parks will serve as the engine of manufacturing and industrial growth, powered by a consistent supply of raw materials. These zones will support a wide array of sectors, including food and beverage, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and packaging, creating integrated, resilient supply chains. Investors can participate through equity investments in Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), and also debt financing, particularly in project finance, SME on-lending, trade finance, and infrastructure finance.
Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo, Chairman of Parliament’s Food and Agriculture Committee Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, Chairman of Parliament’s Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee Alexander Roosevelt Hottordze, and Deputy Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources Gizella Tetteh – Agbotui, were other government officials present during the Deal Room Session.
