By Faridat Salifu
Agribusiness company Olam Group is expanding its manufacturing footprint in Ghana as it looks to diversify beyond cocoa trading and adapt to changing conditions in West Africa’s agricultural sector.
The company is investing about $40 million in a new pasta production facility in Accra as part of a broader strategy to strengthen its food manufacturing presence in the region.
Industry analysts say the move signals a shift by Olam toward value-added processing and local food production rather than relying mainly on commodity exports.
The expansion comes at a time when the global cocoa sector is experiencing volatility, with fluctuating prices and supply challenges affecting major producing countries in West Africa.
Ghana remains one of the world’s leading cocoa producers, but the sector has faced increasing pressure from rising production costs, weather variability and market uncertainty.
By strengthening its manufacturing base in Accra, Olam aims to position Ghana as a key processing hub serving West African markets.
The new pasta factory is expected to produce a range of wheat-based products for regional consumption, tapping into growing demand for affordable packaged foods.
Company officials say the investment will also support local employment and contribute to Ghana’s industrialisation agenda.
The strategy reflects a broader trend among agribusiness companies seeking to move further along the value chain by investing in food processing and manufacturing within producing countries.
Analysts say such investments can help reduce reliance on raw commodity exports while strengthening domestic food supply chains.
For Olam, the shift represents a response to the evolving realities of agribusiness in West Africa, where climate pressures, price volatility and policy reforms are reshaping the cocoa industry.