The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has secured a $90 million investment from Denmark for the establishment of a large-scale shea processing factory in Ghana, marking a significant boost for the country’s agro-processing sector.
The investment is expected to enhance value addition within the shea industry, strengthen Ghana’s position in the global shea value chain and create employment opportunities, particularly in northern Ghana where shea production is concentrated.
According to officials, the new facility will focus on processing raw shea nuts into higher-value products such as shea butter and related derivatives for export to international markets, including Europe and North America. The project is also anticipated to improve incomes for thousands of women who dominate the shea picking and primary processing stages.
The Ministry described the Danish-backed initiative as part of a broader strategy to attract foreign direct investment into agriculture and agro-industrialisation. Authorities say expanding local processing capacity remains critical to reducing raw commodity exports and maximising foreign exchange earnings.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the development, noting that improved processing infrastructure could address longstanding challenges such as post-harvest losses, price instability and limited access to premium export markets.
The shea sector plays a vital role in rural livelihoods, particularly across the savannah belt. Analysts say the $90 million investment could accelerate Ghana’s efforts to position itself as a leading hub for sustainable shea production and processing in West Africa.
Further details on implementation timelines, location and partnership arrangements are expected to be announced by the Ministry in the coming weeks.