Building Africa’s Next Billion-Dollar Food Chain: How Progal Agro Processing Ltd is Empowering Farmers, Women, and Investors Through Cassava

“How’s the week been?” asked The High Street Journal.
“Tough as usual, but we are in it too,” Ali Issah, co-founder of Progal Agro Processing Ltd., replied, a quiet determination in his voice. “Most of us don’t really have weekends, so it’s like any other day.”

From the outset, it was clear this was a story about grit, vision, and a deep connection to Ghanaian agriculture. Born and raised in a farming village, Ali knew firsthand the struggles farmers face.
“I started farming right after high school,” he shared. “Even though my parents farmed, I wanted to do something on my own. But I didn’t have money until university.”

The Entrepreneurial Spark: What motivated him to go beyond subsistence farming?

“In 2020, during the election lockdown, I watched a politician at a cassava processing factory. He spoke about the huge demand for cassava flour in the country. That’s when I realized this was more than a local problem, it was nationwide,” Ali said. At that moment, he began connecting the dots between the struggles he had faced personally with cassava post-harvest losses and the bigger picture of national food supply.

Research confirmed it: Ghana produces 20 million tons of cassava annually, yet 50% goes to waste. Only 10% is available for industrial use. “If this is happening everywhere, then there’s a real business opportunity,” he reflected. “I wasn’t just thinking about solving my own problem anymore, I saw the chance to create a system that could help farmers across the country and bring real value to the cassava industry.”

This moment marked the turning point in Ali’s journey from a farmer struggling with post-harvest losses to an entrepreneur determined to build Progal Agro Processing Ltd., a cassava production enterprise capable of transforming local agriculture and creating wider impact.

From Cassava Flour to Gari Production

Initially, the plan was to produce high-quality cassava flour. Financial limitations, however, prompted a pivot. “We decided to focus on Gari,” Ali said. “I work with a co-founder because some parts of this journey are too lonely to do alone. Having someone to share ideas and challenges with was critical.”

By 2023, Progal Agro Processing Ltd. had set up a factory in Bonsua, a town in Offinso in the Ashanti Region, but challenges persisted. “Our factory wasn’t connected to the national grid, so we had to outsource some processes. Bringing cassava back and producing in-house was a struggle. Health and quality were concerns,” he explained. Electricity finally arrived at the end of 2024, allowing consistent production from January 2025.

Operations and Product Quality

Today, the business produces Gari that customers consistently praise for taste and quality.
“According to our customers, the taste is better than any other Gari on the market. That gives us an advantage over competitors,” Ali said.

Production relies on a mix of their own farm and local farmers, ensuring steady supply. Every part of the cassava is utilized: the peels are provided to animal farmers, the water from pressing is used to extract starch, and the chaff is used for Konkonte.

Packaging remains traditional due to financial constraints, though prototypes for modern packaging already exist. “For now, we give wholesale retailers our Gari the local way. But we plan to invest in packaging machines soon,” he noted.

Scaling Challenges

Growth is limited primarily by finance and machinery constraints. “Manual peeling of one tricycle-load of cassava takes four to five hours. During peak season, it could stretch into two days. And if it sits too long, we lose up to 50% of the product,” he explained.

Similarly, frying is labor-intensive. “We can fry one bag a day using firewood and large pans. A frying machine would cut this to 45 minutes and significantly increase capacity,” Ali said. Storage is another challenge. As production scales, they need proper facilities to hold batches before packaging and distribution, making machinery and infrastructure investment critical for growth.

Market Traction and Opportunities

Despite being a small startup, Progal Agro Processing Ltd. is already making waves in the market.
“We have two contracts worth around GHC 4 million,” Ali shared. “If a small operation like ours can secure this, imagine the potential with the right investment.”

Currently, the business serves local retailers, but there are plans to expand significantly. The company aims to secure larger local contracts while simultaneously preparing for exports to Europe and the United States. Innovative packaging will differentiate their products in the market, positioning them competitively against established brands.

Social Impact

The business isn’t just about profits; it’s also about empowering women and supporting local communities.
“Over 70% of our employees are women. We are not gender-biased, but women have been the most useful part of our workforce,” Ali said with a smile.

Farmers in the area also benefit. By sourcing cassava locally, the business ensures a reliable market and reduces post-harvest losses, creating a sustainable cycle that strengthens the community while supporting growth.

The Vision

Looking ahead, Ali’s vision is ambitious yet grounded.
“In the next three to five years, we want to export Gari, secure bigger local contracts, and package our products uniquely. We’re registering with FDA, Ghana Standards Authority, and Ghana Export Promotions Authority,” he said.

He concluded with a compelling call to investors: “We’re on the verge of building the next billion-dollar food chain in Africa. We want all hands involved. Ten percent of one million is better than ten thousand. All we need is grit and financial tools to push forward.”

Why Investors Should Take Note

The High Street Journal has followed this story closely, and it’s hard not to be inspired. From a young farmer in a small village to establishing Progal Agro Processing Ltd, every step reflects vision, determination, and innovation. “If this is happening everywhere, then there’s a real business opportunity,” he told The High Street Journal, turning insight into action.

Even as a small operation, the company has proven its potential. Contracts worth GHC 4 million demonstrate clear market readiness. “It means that if we should be able to grow bigger, we can do more than this,” he said confidently.

Quality remains a key differentiator, with customers consistently praising taste and consistency. Operational scalability is clear, with a roadmap for machinery upgrades, improved packaging, and storage solutions. “All we need is the grit to do it and then the finance tools to push for it,” he emphasized.

Finally, the social impact is tangible: women employment, leadership opportunities, and local farmer support make this venture a business that delivers financial returns while uplifting communities.

For investors, The High Street Journal sees more than a profitable venture; it’s an opportunity to join a transformative journey reshaping cassava production in Ghana and beyond.

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