Faith Nyasuguta
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is expanding his business empire into Ghana with a $162 million sugar refinery project set to transform the country’s agro-industry. The ambitious venture will be located in Kwame-Danso, Bono East Region, and aims to drastically cut Ghana’s dependence on imported sugar while creating jobs and strengthening local production.
The refinery, spearheaded by Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, is expected to process 12,000 tons of sugarcane daily. It will be supported by a 25,000-hectare irrigated sugarcane plantation, ensuring a stable local supply of raw materials. In addition to refined sugar, the facility will also produce molasses and ethanol, key by-products with industrial and biofuel applications.
This strategic investment comes as Ghana continues to import nearly $162 million worth of sugar annually. Dangote’s entry into the Ghanaian market directly aligns with the country’s “One District, One Factory” policy, which aims to promote industrial development in under-resourced regions. The Bono East Region, where the refinery will be located, has long suffered from underinvestment, and this new initiative promises to spur rural development and technological advancement in the agricultural sector.
In a statement shared via LinkedIn, the Dangote Group described the project as “a catalyst for self-sufficiency, employment, and continental transformation.” A company insider confirmed that land has already been earmarked for the project, and preparatory agreements are underway with local stakeholders.
Ghana, like many African nations, has traditionally relied on imports to meet its sugar needs. However, global supply chain shocks and rising food security concerns have prompted a renewed focus on local production. Dangote’s refinery could become a cornerstone of Ghana’s food security strategy and a model for agro-industrial innovation in West Africa.
The project is part of Dangote’s wider continental agenda to expand integrated agriculture and agro-processing. In Nigeria, the company already operates the country’s largest sugar refinery, with a crushing capacity of 1.44 million tonnes per year. Recently, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc posted a 74.3% revenue jump in Q1 2025, rising to N213.9 billion ($133.2 million) from N122.7 billion a year earlier. The company also reported a reduced net loss, signalling operational improvements and high product demand.
As the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) continues to gain traction, Dangote’s move into Ghana is a timely one. It reinforces the AfCFTA’s vision of enhancing intra-African trade, building self-reliant economies, and strengthening regional supply chains. The refinery is expected to not only serve Ghana’s needs but also contribute to West Africa’s broader sugar market.
“This is more than a factory, it’s a bold step toward industrial self-reliance and regional transformation,” the Dangote Group emphasized.
With construction preparations underway, Dangote’s sugar refinery is set to become one of Ghana’s most transformative industrial projects in recent years, bolstering food sovereignty, generating jobs, and reaffirming the power of African-led development.
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