Ghana has been ranked 8th among Africa’s top 10 manufacturing countries, according to a new report by The African Exponent, a publication known for delivering analytical business insights across the continent.
The report attributes Ghana’s steady rise in manufacturing to its focus on value addition, particularly in agriculture and cocoa processing.
Initiatives like the government’s flagship One District, One Factory (1D1F) programme have also played a key role in stimulating industrial growth at the grassroots level, especially among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Homegrown manufacturers such as Kasapreko and Fan Milk are highlighted as examples of local firms expanding Ghana’s industrial footprint into international markets.
Ghana joins a list of African nations that have made significant industrial gains in the last decade.
Nonetheless, South Africa topped the ranking as the continent’s most industrialized economy, followed by Egypt and Nigeria. Morocco, Kenya, Algeria, Ethiopia, Tunisia, and Zambia also made the top 10.
South Africa’s lead is supported by a diversified industrial base and strong infrastructure, especially in the automotive and chemical sectors.
Furthermore, Egypt’s ranking is driven by exports to Europe and the Middle East and bolstered by reforms in its chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Nigeria’s manufacturing growth is anchored by large-scale industrial players like Dangote Group and BUA Group, supported by a vast consumer market and ongoing policy reforms.
The report positions Ghana as a rising player in African manufacturing, with strong potential to climb higher in future rankings as it deepens its industrialization agenda and promotes local production.
