Ghana will become a hub for fertiliser production following a $5 billion investment agreement with Qatari agricultural investors, Aljadad Group. This massive investment will enable the construction of the Atuabo Fertiliser Hub.
Additionally, a geo-technical team is expected to commence feasibility studies in October. The feasibility studies will be conducted on land secured at the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation.
Project Factsheet
Location: Atuabo Petroleum Hub, Western Region, Ghana
Cost: $5 billion
Products: The plant will produce urea and ammonia, which are essential components of modern fertilizers.
Economic impact: The project is expected to create over 2,000 direct jobs, primarily for the youth, and stimulate the growth of other related industries in Ghana’s agro-industrial sector. Also, by producing fertilizer locally, the project would reduce pressure on foreign exchange. It will make fertilizer more accessible and affordable for Ghanaian farmers.
Partnership: the project will be developed via a joint venture between Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Qatari investment firm Al Jedad Holdings. The partnership will also involve local Ghanaian agro-industrial group Granum Limited.
Location
The project will be anchored by a gas processing plant at Atuabo, which will provide feedstock and strengthen Ghana’s industrial base.
As revealed by the investors, the initiative will generate over 2,000 direct local jobs and enhance the country’s self-sufficiency in fertiliser production.
Reverend Foster Mawuli Benson who is a local partner of Aljadad Holdings, described the project a turning point in Ghana’s agro-industrial drive.
“This project is about to commence. For the first time, Ghana will be producing fertilisers locally especially urea and ammonia at the Petroleum Hub in Atuabo. This will generate over 2,000 direct jobs, especially for the youth,” he said during a visit to the Minister of Food and Agriculture.
The Project to Advance Government Food Security Agenda
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, urged the investors to fast-track construction. He highlighted the project’s role in advancing the government’s food security agenda.
“We have very many young people venturing into agriculture. With the shift toward irrigation farming for year-round production, timely delivery of this project will be crucial. It must kick off immediately,” he emphasised.
Africa Seeks to Cut Fertiliser Imports through Development of Local Plants
In another project that seeks to cut Africa’s dependence on foreign fertilizer imports, Dangote Group has signed an agreement with Ethiopia to develop a $2.5 billion fertilizer hub in Gode town. This mega project will make Ethiopia a major fertilizer hub in the region. Also, Ethiopia will be able to locally produce its fertilizer, thereby cutting the pressure on imports. Similarly, the development of this fertilizer hub in Ghana will cut the country’s dependence on fertilizer imports. It will also make the country a new fertilizer hub in West Africa.
