Dangote Breaks Ground on $162 Million Sugar Refinery in Ghana, Aiming to Fuel Local Industry

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s foremost industrialist, is expanding his agro-industrial footprint into Ghana with the launch of a landmark sugar refinery project in Kwame Danso, Bono East Region. The initiative, led by Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc , promises to significantly cut the country’s reliance on sugar imports while catalyzing local economic growth.

Valued at US$162 million, the project directly targets Ghana’s substantial annual sugar import bill, and aligns seamlessly with the government’s “One District, One Factory” industrialization agenda. It also marks a strategic step toward food security and self-sufficiency amid global supply chain uncertainties.

The cutting-edge facility will process 12,000 tons of sugarcane per day, supported by a vast, irrigated plantation spanning 25,000 hectares. Beyond refined sugar, the plant will produce high-value by-products such as molasses and ethanol—opening new avenues for growth in agro-processing and renewable energy sectors.

Describing the project as more than just a factory, the Dangote Group emphasized its transformative potential: “This is a catalyst for self-sufficiency, job creation, and continental development.”

Ghana has long depended on imported sugar to meet domestic demand. With rising concerns about food security and trade volatility, the new refinery represents a timely shift toward local production and resilience.

Dangote’s investment is expected to generate hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, spur rural development, and introduce advanced technologies to Ghana’s sugar industry. The Bono East region, historically underserved in terms of industrial infrastructure, stands to gain significantly from this transformative initiative.

Moreover, the Ghana project fits within Dangote’s broader vision of building integrated agricultural value chains across Africa. It underscores his commitment to leveraging regional markets and strengthening homegrown industries.

Strategically timed and aligned with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the expansion supports deeper economic integration, enhances intra-African trade, and reduces dependency on foreign imports.

“This is more than a factory,” Dangote said. “It is a platform for self-reliance and regional transformation.”