Ghana positions itself as future exporter of agricultural technology in Africa- Mahama
Ghana has set its sights on becoming a leading exporter of agricultural technology on the African continent, as President John Dramani Mahama underscored the country’s commitment to building a strong, locally driven agritech industry.
Speaking at the opening of the Ghana Agrotech Fair 2026, President Mahama said the country must move beyond reliance on imported machinery and instead invest in homegrown innovation to transform its agricultural sector.
“No nation can transform its agricultural economy while indefinitely depending on imported machinery, processing lines and technological systems at every stage of production,” he stated.
The President emphasized that supporting local manufacturers of agricultural machinery and agro-processing equipment is critical to Ghana’s long-term economic transformation.
“If Ghana is serious about agricultural transformation, we must deliberately build the capacity to design, fabricate, adapt, maintain and scale agricultural technologies locally,” he said.
According to him, this strategic shift will not only reduce import dependence but also create jobs and strengthen the country’s industrial base.
“When we support local agritech manufacturing, we are strengthening Ghana’s industrial base, creating skilled employment for our young people, and retaining greater value within our national economy,” Mahama noted.
He added that Ghana’s ambition goes beyond domestic production, positioning the country as a key player in the regional agritech market.
“It makes us position Ghana not only as a consumer of agricultural technology, but as a producer and exporter of it across the African continent,” he stressed.
President Mahama highlighted that the focus on agritech aligns with the government’s broader economic agenda, including the Feed Ghana Programme and efforts to modernize the agricultural value chain.
“Agriculture must no longer be treated solely as a subsistence sector, but as a strategic pillar of national economic growth, industrial expansion and export development,” he said.
He further pointed out that modern agriculture must be driven by innovation, technology, and value addition across the entire production chain.
“The future of agriculture lies not simply in expanding acreage, but in modernizing the entire agricultural value chain—from the farm to the factory,” he added.
The Ghana Agrotech Fair 2026 brought together stakeholders from government, industry, research institutions and the private sector, showcasing innovations aimed at boosting productivity, reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing competitiveness.
President Mahama urged all stakeholders to play their part in achieving the country’s vision.
“To our entrepreneurs and manufacturers, continue to build and scale solutions made in Ghana, for Africa,” he said.
He also encouraged investors to take a more active role in the sector, stressing that “agrotech must move from an admired concept to a bankable, scalable industry.”
