ElectroChem Ghana Limited is seeking up to US$500 million in investment to expand operations at its Ada Songor salt concession, develop value-added salt processing facilities, and construct a dedicated export port as part of plans to position Ghana as a leading salt producer and exporter in West Africa.
The proposed investment is expected to significantly increase production capacity, enhance foreign exchange earnings, create jobs and strengthen Ghana’s presence in the global salt market.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement with civil society organisations, the Ada Traditional Council and members of the media at the company’s operations in Ada, Chief Executive Officer Francis Buamah said the initiative forms part of a broader vision to build a fully integrated salt industry that delivers long-term benefits to both local communities and the national economy.
According to him, the engagement was organised to provide stakeholders with firsthand information about ElectroChem’s operations, achievements and future development plans while promoting transparency around the management of the Songor salt concession.
“We invited stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of our operations, investments and future plans. We also wanted to demonstrate the development work undertaken so far and highlight the investments required to unlock the full potential of Ghana’s salt industry,” Mr. Buamah said.
Mr. Buamah explained that ElectroChem’s strategy goes beyond the extraction and export of raw salt. The company aims to establish an integrated value chain that includes refining and processing to increase the economic value of the resource before export.
As part of this plan, ElectroChem is seeking an initial investment of about US$60 million to expand operations in Sector A of the concession and construct a salt refinery. The broader US$500 million investment requirement will support the development of Sectors B and C within the company’s 41,000-acre concession, alongside critical supporting infrastructure.
The proposed investment will fund the construction of additional salt pans, roads, dikes and a dedicated port to facilitate large-scale exports.
Mr. Buamah noted that transporting millions of tonnes of salt by road would place considerable strain on Ghana’s transport infrastructure and increase operational costs.
“Given the scale of production we are targeting, sea transportation remains the most efficient and sustainable option. That is why the development of a dedicated port forms a key component of our long-term investment strategy,” he said.
Value Addition to Increase Export Earnings
The company believes refining salt locally could substantially increase export revenues by moving Ghana up the value chain.
Mr. Buamah explained that while raw salt typically sells for between US$25 and US$40 per tonne, refined salt can command prices ranging from US$200 to US$500 per tonne, depending on quality and end-use applications.
He stressed that Ghana must move away from exporting raw commodities and instead focus on processing resources locally to maximise economic returns.
“We want to retain more value within the country, generate additional foreign exchange and build a stronger industrial base around salt production,” he said.
ElectroChem revealed that several international investors have expressed interest in the project, including investment groups from Austria, the United Kingdom, France and the United Arab Emirates.
According to the company, discussions are ongoing as potential investors undertake due diligence on the concession, production potential and overall business environment.
Mr. Buamah said the company is seeking long-term strategic partners capable of supporting its growth ambitions while preserving strong Ghanaian participation in the business.
He expressed confidence that growing demand for salt across industries such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, manufacturing and construction makes the project an attractive investment opportunity.
Beyond commercial objectives, ElectroChem says the project is designed to deliver sustainable socio-economic benefits to communities within the Ada enclave.
The company disclosed that approximately 90 percent of its workforce is drawn from local communities and that it continues to invest in skills training, educational support, apprenticeships and entrepreneurship programmes.
ElectroChem is also supporting small-scale salt producers through a tributary arrangement that will allow their production to feed into future refining operations.
Mr. Buamah noted that lessons learned from the development of Sector A have provided valuable experience that will help accelerate work on the remaining phases of the concession.
Speaking after the engagement, Kodzo Yaotse, Policy Lead for Petroleum and Conventional Energy at the African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), said Ghana must pay greater attention to the development of its salt industry.
He described salt as a strategic resource with significant economic potential that has historically received limited policy attention.
“Salt remains an important resource for Ghana’s industrial development, yet discussions around its potential have often been overlooked. We need a comprehensive framework to guide sustainable investment and development in the sector,” he said.
Mr. Yaotse also suggested that a future listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange could provide an additional avenue for raising capital while broadening ownership opportunities for communities and local investors.
Representatives of the Ada Traditional Council used the engagement to outline the community’s expectations for the future management of the Songor salt resource.
The Council revealed that it has developed a position paper through consultations with chiefs, elders, youth groups and community members to guide the sustainable development of the area.
According to the Council, its primary objective is to ensure that local communities benefit from salt mining through employment creation, business opportunities and meaningful participation in the industry’s growth.
The Council also acknowledged ElectroChem’s efforts to support community development and improve livelihoods within its operational areas.
“We are not opposed to development. We want to see jobs created and opportunities generated for our people. Collaboration among all stakeholders will be critical to unlocking the full potential of this resource,” a representative of the Council stated.
With plans to expand production, establish refining capacity and develop export infrastructure, ElectroChem believes the Ada Songor concession has the potential to become one of West Africa’s most significant salt production hubs while contributing substantially to Ghana’s industrialisation and export earnings.
