Ghana’s industrial and engineering sectors have long been hobbled by a crippling reliance on imported machinery. According to the World Bank, more than 70% of the country’s industrial equipment is sourced from abroad, driving up costs and leading to operational delays across key sectors like mining, construction, and manufacturing. This has led to a growing dependence that stymies local production and competitiveness.
Compounding the problem is a critical skills gap. The World Economic Forum reports that 65% of Ghanaian companies struggle to find qualified engineers and technicians. This shortage could slash the productivity of Ghana’s workforce by as much as 30% over the next decade, according to McKinsey.
And even those firms that manage to scrape by are limited by outdated technology: just 15% of local engineering companies have access to advanced tools like CNC machines and laser cutters (Ghana Institution of Engineering).
Supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation, with 45% delays in receiving crucial industrial parts, as noted by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority.
RIEPCO is actively addressing these issues by providing locally manufactured engineering products, bridging the skills gap and driving technological innovation in the sector. Founded in 1985 by Charles Tetteh Darko, RIEPCO has grown from its roots in Tema into a dominant force in West African industrial engineering. With branches in Obuasi, Tarkwa, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso, the company manufactures everything from conveyor idlers to valves, mill liners, and conveyor belts.
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What truly sets RIEPCO apart is its position as the sole distributor of Fuchs Lubricants in West Africa, a partnership that allows the company to cater to a wide array of industries, from food manufacturing and mining to construction and transportation.
Three notable REIPCO’s clients include Nestle, AngloGold, and Dangote. This range of clients stands as a testament to RIEPCO’s reputation for delivering on time and to specification.
In 2024, RIEPCO was named Industrial Engineering Company of the Year by the Ghana Business Standard Awards, and it’s also been honored by the Canada Ghana Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for promoting intra-African trade.
However, the company was challenged by the twin shocks of illegal mining and the COVID-19 pandemic. Just a sharp decline in the mining sector reduced demand for RIEPCO’s services. The Covid-19 also disrupted the supply chains, further delaying production and opening the door for competitors.
Looking ahead, RIEPCO is actively seeking joint ventures with foreign suppliers to develop a state-of-the-art engineering workshop, complete with laser cutting technology and CNC machines. But for RIEPCO to fully realize its potential, it will need more than just innovation and partnerships.
The company could greatly benefit from government policies that reduce import duties on engineering products, increase access to low-interest loans, and offer incentives for technological advancement.
