Olam Agri inaugurates US$40m state-of-the-art pasta manufacturing facility

By Evelyn ARTHUR

Olam Agri has inaugurated its state-of-the-art pasta manufacturing facility in Accra.

The facility, the first of its kind in the country, represents a significant step in the country’s food manufacturing sector and efforts to strengthen domestic production.

The US$40 million investment enhances Olam Agri’s wheat milling and pasta manufacturing capacity in West Africa and is expected to contribute to Ghana’s drive to deepen local production, improve food security and accelerate industrial growth.

President John Dramani Mahama presided over the inauguration ceremony and officially unveiled the facility, activating the production line in the presence of Olam Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Sunny Verghese, senior government officials, traditional leaders, industry stakeholders and development partners.

The facility, designed with advanced processing technology to ensure quality and operational efficiency, is expected to expand the availability of affordable and nutritious staple foods. The company said the locally manufactured pasta products will be fortified with essential micronutrients and vitamins to support national nutrition goals.

Before unveiling the commemorative plaque and cutting the ribbon to activate the plant, President Mahama noted that government has a responsibility to provide a stable policy environment, invest in essential infrastructure and collaborate with investors who demonstrate long-term commitment to the country.

He stated that investments such as the pasta factory help stabilise supply and prices while supporting the development of technical skills within the manufacturing sector.

He described the plant as one of the “tangible benefits” resulting from ongoing agro-industrial investments under the agriculture-for-economic-transformation agenda.

“Olam Agri’s ongoing investment in Ghana aligns with our national policy. Our policies only matter when they lead to actual factories, real jobs and tangible production on the ground,” he said.

President Mahama added that the factory will operate a shift system and qualifies under the government’s 24-hour Economy Initiative.

The Minister for Trade and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said the project strongly aligns with Ghana’s industrialisation agenda and trade ambitions.

“Today’s commissioning demonstrates that the economic reset agenda is not merely rhetoric but is delivering tangible results,” she said.

According to the minister, Ghana imported approximately US$140 million worth of pasta between 2021 and 2024, making the country the second-largest importer of pasta on the continent after Togo.

“With an annual production capacity of 60,000 metric tonnes, the facility is projected to meet a substantial share of domestic demand, significantly reduce our pasta import bill and position Ghana as a net exporter of pasta within the sub-region,” she added.

The Country Head of Olam Agri in Ghana, Baibhav Biswas, described the facility as a transformative investment in the nation’s food production landscape.

“From today, every packet of pasta consumed in Ghana can be produced locally — by Ghanaian talent, on Ghanaian soil. This strengthens domestic manufacturing, builds technical expertise and ensures that the value generated by local consumer demand remains within the national economy,” he said.

Olam Co-founder and CEO Sunny Verghese reaffirmed Ghana’s strategic importance to the company.

“Olam was born in Africa more than three decades ago, and Ghana was the second country where we established operations. Our confidence in the nation has grown year after year, and the investment we are commissioning today reflects our belief in Ghana as a hub for growth, trade and sustainable value,” he said.

Group Chief Finance Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Olam Agri, Muthukumar Neelami, noted that local production improves supply chain resilience and affordability while strengthening national food security.

He added that Ghana’s strategic location enables the company to efficiently serve regional markets and promote intra-African trade.

Production at the factory began with premium spaghetti manufactured to international quality standards. The company plans to expand the product range to include macaroni and other short-cut pasta varieties, all fortified with essential micronutrients and vitamins. Premium spaghetti is expected to be available on retail shelves later this month.

The investment is projected to create about 300 direct and indirect jobs across operations, engineering, supply chain, distribution and support services. Employees have undergone specialised technical training to operate advanced manufacturing systems and maintain high quality and safety standards.

The facility also incorporates sustainability features, including high-efficiency energy systems and optimised processes designed to reduce resource consumption and environmental impact.

Olam Agri said the new plant reinforces its partnership with Ghana in advancing industrialisation, strengthening food systems and promoting inclusive economic growth.

The company already operates the country’s largest wheat mill in Tema, producing the First Choice and Royal Gold brands, in addition to its rice operations which include the Mama Gold brand.

The new pasta plant adds to Olam Agri’s network of wheat milling and pasta facilities across West and Central Africa, including operations in Nigeria, Senegal and Cameroon.

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