A consortium of leading global food companies has hailed Ghana’s agribusiness sector as a key player in Africa’s food security efforts, citing its immense growth potential and ongoing progress in food processing.
The consortium, operating under the global nonprofit Partners in Food Solutions (PFS), includes General Mills, Cargill, The Hershey Company, Bühler Group, Ardent Mills, dsm-firmenich, and The J.M. Smucker Company.
During a visit to local food businesses in Accra, executives witnessed firsthand how Ghanaian food processors are scaling up operations with the right expertise and partnerships.
Since its inception, Partners in Food Solutions has provided technical support to 84 food companies in Ghana, connecting them with 348 industry experts who have contributed over 10,000 hours of pro-bono consulting.
For the first time since its founding in 2011, the PFS Board held its annual meeting in Africa, convening in Accra. The board includes top executives such as General Mills CFO Kofi Bruce and Cargill Vice President Sarah Jelkin.
As part of their visit, board members toured OXY Industries in Tema and Gold Coast Foods, a local herbs and spices producer, witnessing PFS’s business-to-business model in action. The Board met with local entrepreneurs and witnessed firsthand how Partners in Food Solutions is empowering Ghana’s food sector through their direct engagement with Ghanaian food processors.
At a press conference graced by PFS CEO Mandla Nkomo, General Mills CFO Kofi Bruce, and Verser Oils CEO Kwasi Nyamekye, a PFS client discussed the challenges and opportunities for growth in Ghana’s agribusiness sector with the PFS consortium’s continued support.
“This visit reinforces the confidence in Ghana’s food processing industry. Ghana is uniquely positioned and has incredible potential to drive food security solutions – not only for its people but across the West African region and the wider continent. With the right expertise, investment, and partnerships, local food businesses can drive continued growth in the agribusiness sector, which will ultimately create more jobs, improve access to nutritious food, and strengthen the agricultural supply chain,” Mandla Nkomo, CEO of Partners in Food Solutions, said.
Agribusiness is a major pillar of Ghana’s economy, contributing 24.5% to the GDP and projected to grow by 2.7% annually through 2028.
By fostering collaborations between global corporations and local food processors, Partners in Food Solutions is working to accelerate this growth while ensuring long-term food security and sustainability in the region.
About Partners in Food Solutions:
Partners in Food Solutions, a consortium of leading global food companies – General Mills, Cargill, dsm-firmenich, Bühler, The Hershey Company, Ardent Mills and The J.M. Smucker Company – work in partnership to help strengthen the capacity of more than 2,400 African food companies in 11 countries. Employees of our corporate partners share their technical and business expertise directly with entrepreneurial African food companies with the goal of improving food security across the continent. More than 2,300 corporate partners’ employees have contributed 170,000 pro-bono consulting hours, working directly with our African clients to improve food quality, safety and availability.
