The government has announced plans for restrictions on the export of non-ferrous scrap metals and raw rubber as part of efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing and create jobs.
The measures aim to ensure that Ghana’s raw materials are processed locally, supporting industries such as construction, electronics, automotive, and machinery production.
In his 2026 Budget presentation, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said, “As part of the Feed the Industry Programme and to support the local metals industry, government will be restricting the exportation of non-ferrous scrap metals.”
Ghana generates approximately 91,000 metric tons of scrap metals annually, with domestic processing capacity far exceeding current usage. Similarly, raw rubber, with processing capacity of about 178,000 tons per year, will now be retained to support local manufacturing.
“As part of efforts to secure sustainable supply of raw materials for domestic processing and the development of the local value chains, government will be restricting the export of raw rubber,” Forson added.
The government is also investing in industrial and agricultural projects. Three modern garment factories are planned in the Bono East, Central, and Eastern Regions, expected to operate in three shifts and create around 27,000 jobs.
Seven agro-processing plants across the country will process key crops, including yam, fish, poultry, cashew, rice, shea butter, and palm kernel oil, reducing post-harvest losses while supporting local farmers.
On export-driven initiatives, the Finance Minister highlighted the President’s Accelerated Export Development programme, noting, “Two new cashew processing plants to be financed by the Ghana Exim Bank will be constructed at Sampa in the Jaman North Municipality of the Bono region and Aboabo, Techiman in the Bono East region.”
The plants are expected to boost local value addition and create more opportunities for farmers and processors.
