Industrial Zone Giant pledges to transform Ghana’s manufacturing sector

Africa’s leading integrated industrial zones developer, ARISE IIP, has endorsed the government’s 24-hour economy agenda with massive investment support.

The backing came to light when executives of ARISE IIP on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, invited government officials for some high-level investment talks in Benin, where the company operates the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ), one of the most successful Special Economic Zones in Africa.

The Ghana delegation was led by Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff; Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry; the Interior Minister; Muntaka Mubarak; and Ernest Brogya Genfi, Deputy Defence Minister.

The team also included, Simon Nene Madjie, CEO of GIPC; Kyeretwie Opoku, of the 24-hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Secretariat; and Courage Nunekpeku, Managing Director of TDC, among other officials.

The Ghanaian entourage toured the industrial zone to assess best practices in industrial zone development, infrastructure and value-added manufacturing.

These investment discussions come at a time when Ghana is accelerating plans to establish light industrial parks across strategic locations as part of its industrial transformation agenda for sustainable job creation.

While the government is keen to leverage private sector expertise and capital to fast-track the industrialisation drive, the model run by ARISE IIP combines infrastructure delivery with value chain development and market access.

This is a perfect fit for the government’s 24-hour economic vision and one that will unlock large-scale investment into the country.

“Ghana has a huge economy and we are ready to partner with the country to boost its economy. Our industrial zones are already running 24/7, and so we have the capacity to help Ghana do this. This is just the beginning of something great that is going to happen in Ghana. We will be putting skills and resources together for Ghana’s economic survival”, Létondji BEHETON, Managing Director of SIPI-Bénin S.A told the government delegation.

ARISE IIP is already operating in five African countries, including Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon and Togo and is developing projects across 21 countries.

It is in advanced discussion with seven other countries, including Ghana.

The Glo-Djigbé Zone in Benin alone has attracted over 36 investors and created more than 20,000 jobs, with plans to generate 300,000 jobs by 2030.

It secured $1.4 billion in the first phase of investment, contributing billions of dollars to Benin’s economy.

Key sectors under its industrialisation drive in Benin include garment and textile production, integrated cotton processing, cashew nut and organic soybean processing, packaging and cardboard manufacturing.

Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, said, “We are very happy to be here in Benin. We are impressed by what we saw. It’s surprising to learn that all this has been achieved in less than four years.”

In the context of Ghana, the company aims to replicate this initiative in the country through the joint development of light industrial parks focused on agro-processing and value-added manufacturing, in support of the 24-hour economy and special economic zones agenda.

With a two-year completion timeline, the partnership is expected to promote and attract industrial investments all in a bid to increase exports, raise GDP, scale up the manufacturing output of Ghana’s natural resources and enhance the competitiveness of “Made in Ghana” products.

The Mahama government believes that the partnership with ARISE IIP will focus on agro-processing, garment manufacturing, and other critical areas, all of which are essential in driving inclusive and export-oriented growth.

“We are overwhelmed and amazed by what we have seen, and we can’t wait to have this in Ghana. We are going to fly on the wings of ARISE IIP to make sure that West Africa becomes great”, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, the Minister responsible for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, remarked.

ARISE IIP is backed by major financial institutions, including the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), and Equitane.

 

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