Ghana signs landmark US$270 million deal to transform poultry industry, cut import bill

In a move that stands as the largest UK agrifood investment in Ghana’s history, the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Secretariat (24H+) has signed Heads of Terms for a US$270 million National Poultry Transformation Programme . The agreement, signed at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change in Accra, brings together international private capital, Ghanaian institutional capital, and development finance to build an integrated poultry value chain.

A Strategic Bloc of Capital and Vision

The programme is a collaboration between four key partners: Agrium Capital, a UK-based agrifood investment company and subsidiary of Asset Green Ltd; Petra Trust; Axis Pension Trust; and Ghana EXIM Bank .

The initiative aims to address a significant economic vulnerability. Ghana currently spends approximately US$400 million annually on imported chicken and poultry products, creating a heavy drain on foreign exchange reserves . Local producers currently account for a small fraction of domestic demand, leaving the country highly exposed to global market fluctuations .

Integrated Approach to Value Creation

The programme is designed to span the entire poultry value chain rather than focusing on a single segment. It will encompass feed production, breeding, hatchery operations, broiler production, processing, cold chain, logistics, and market access .

Phase one of the project is expected to produce 20,000 tonnes of dressed and processed broiler products annually, with a projected scale-up to 50,000 tonnes . This expansion is expected to create approximately 12,000 direct jobs, retaining more of the US$400 million import expenditure within the domestic economy while supporting productive activity across the sector .

Leadership Perspectives on the Deal

Presidential Adviser on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development, Mr. Augustus Goosie Tanoh, highlighted the strategic nature of the partnership. “This is a purposeful blend of foreign private capital and Ghanaian private capital, aligned to build this industry at scale,” Mr. Tanoh stated .

The event also drew diplomatic support. Madam Simone Mousey, Economic Counsellor and Head of the Growth Team at the British High Commission, welcomed the investment as an opportunity to deepen UK-Ghana commercial relations, particularly in agriculture and agrifood .

Mr. Rod Bassett, Chief Executive Officer of Agrium Capital, expressed confidence in the potential of Ghana’s poultry sector to contribute to food security, local production, and value creation .

Financing and Institutional Confidence

The participation of Ghana’s pension sector is a crucial element. Managing Director of Petra Trust, Mr. Kofi D. Fynn, stated that the involvement of Petra Trust and Axis Pension Trust demonstrates the readiness of Ghana’s pension sector to deploy long-term capital into productive investments. “We are ready to put our capital to work in support of the goals and objectives of this country,” Mr. Fynn said .

The deal also aligns with ongoing reforms at Ghana EXIM Bank. The bank has previously outlined its strategic priority to support the poultry sector to ensure food security and reduce pressure on foreign exchange, marking a departure from its past lending practices to focus on high-impact, measurable outcomes .

Catalytic Role and Next Steps

Mr. Sam Mensah-Baah, Country Director for Ghana at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, emphasized the catalytic role of the Institute in uniting international investors, domestic capital, and government. “The investment represents the kind of partnership Ghana needs to translate economic ambition into jobs, productive capacity and sustainable growth,” he said .

The signing precedes the UK-Ghana Investment Summit scheduled for 24 September 2026. This event is expected to provide a further platform to connect businesses and investors, potentially unlocking additional opportunities in agriculture, energy, and technology .

The signed Heads of Terms will now be developed into a formal Shareholders’ Agreement for execution by the parties in the coming weeks . The overall deal contributes to the broader 24-Hour Economy programme, which has a pipeline of projects aimed at creating significant employment and industrial growth .