Ghana signs $5bn deal to become fertiliser hub

By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi

The country is poised to emerge as a major hub for fertiliser production in West Africa following the signing of a five billion dollar investment agreement with Qatari agricultural investors, Aljadad Group.

Under the arrangement, a geo-technical team is expected to commence feasibility studies in October on land secured within the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation enclave in Atuabo, Western Region.

The project will be anchored by a gas processing plant at Atuabo, which will provide the essential feedstock for fertiliser manufacturing while strengthening Ghana’s industrialisation drive.

According to Aljadad Group, the facility will produce urea and ammonia fertilisers, significantly cutting Ghana’s reliance on imports.

The initiative is projected to generate over 2,000 direct jobs, particularly for the youth, while also stimulating thousands of indirect employment opportunities across related value chains such as transport, logistics and agribusiness.

Reverend Foster Mawuli Benson, local partner of Aljadad Holdings, described the investment as a game-changer for Ghana’s agro-industrial agenda.

“This project is about to begin. For the first time, Ghana will be producing fertilisers locally, specifically urea and ammonia at the Petroleum Hub in Atuabo. This will create over 2,000 direct jobs, especially for the youth,” he said during a meeting with the Minister for Food and Agriculture.

Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, commended the investors for their commitment but urged them to fast-track construction, underscoring the project’s importance to the government’s food security strategy.

“We have many young people going into agriculture. With the shift towards irrigation farming for year-round production, timely delivery of this project will be critical. It must start immediately,” he emphasised.