Africa’s richest man plans building a sugar refinery in Ghana

Aliko Dangote’s plans for a massive sugar refinery project aim to reduce Ghana’s dependency on sugar imports and boost local agro-industrial capacity. The new facility, the Dangote Sugar Refinery, will be located in Kwame-Danso, Bono Region, and is expected to play a key role in Ghana’s industrial transformation, Dangote announced in a LinkedIn post. Dangote wrote, “We’re excited to announce the launch of a major agro-industrial project in Kwame-Danso, Bono Region: Dangote Sugar Refinery.” The company described the project as “a new chapter” in Ghana’s economic history. Under Ghana’s ambitious One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative, the project is anticipated to significantly lower the nation’s annual sugar import bill, which is currently estimated to be U$162 million. The Dangote Sugar refinery project’s main features include its 12,000-ton daily sugarcane crushing capacity, a 25,000-hectare farmland irrigation system, and the production of ethanol, molasses, and sugar. Dangote confirmed the completion of the land acquisition process and securing all necessary permits, paving the way for full-scale implementation. “With the help of Ghana’s ‘One District, One Factory’ initiative, we’re moving forward with the land secured and the required permits obtained,” he said. This project promotes a sustainable, domestic solution while addressing Ghana’s US$162 million sugar import bill. In addition to the refinery’s economic potential, Dangote emphasized the initiative’s broader effects on the African continent. “We at Dangote have bigger plans than just a factory. We observe a driving force behind job creation, economic independence, and revolutionary change throughout Africa. Come help us shape the future of the continent,” he continued.