By Kenneth Appiah Bani
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is currently in high-level negotiations to invest in Ghana’s Bono Region by establishing a large-scale sugar refinery in Kwame-Danso. The proposed project will fall under the government’s flagship One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative.
If finalized, the investment is expected to significantly transform Ghana’s agricultural sector and reduce the country’s dependency on sugar imports a cost that currently exceeds $160 million annually. The planned refinery would have the capacity to process up to 12,000 tons of sugarcane daily, supported by 25,000 hectares of irrigated farmland.
“This is more than a business venture it’s a vision for food self-sufficiency and industrial growth in Africa,” Dangote said in a statement. “I believe in Ghana’s potential, and I hope to see more African investors contribute to the continent’s development.”
Though still in the planning and consultation phase, the project is expected to create thousands of jobs across the value chain from farming and processing to transportation and distribution. In addition to sugar, the proposed industrial complex will produce molasses and ethanol, helping diversify Ghana’s economy and promote local value addition.
Government officials have expressed optimism about the potential partnership, describing it as a promising step toward rural development, food security, and national industrialization.
“This level of interest from a pan-African industrialist like Dangote is encouraging,” a representative from the Ministry of Trade and Industry remarked. “We are committed to providing the right environment to make this project a reality.”
The negotiations are ongoing, with site assessments and feasibility studies underway. If successful, the Kwame-Danso sugar project could become a model for future private-sector-led industrial investments across Ghana and Africa.
As the nation continues to pursue economic transformation through industrialization, Dangote’s interest in Ghana signals growing investor confidence and a shared vision for a self-reliant Africa.
