Ghana Signs MoU with B5 Plus to Establish Large-Scale Cashew Processing Plant

Ghana has taken a major step towards industrialising its agro-sector with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and B5 Plus Limited to develop a large-scale cashew processing facility in the country.

The MoU, signed by Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, and Executive Director of B5 Plus Limited, Mukesh Thakwani, sets out a collaborative framework under a Build-Operate (BO) model, with B5 Plus financing, designing, constructing, equipping, owning, and operating the plant at its own cost and risk, subject to regulatory approvals. The Ministry will facilitate policy coordination, land access, stakeholder engagement, and inter-agency approvals to ensure smooth implementation.

Boosting Domestic Value Addition

Ghana is among Africa’s leading producers of raw cashew nuts, but much of the harvest is exported without value addition. The partnership aims to shift focus from raw exports to domestic processing, enhancing farmer incomes, generating employment opportunities, and expanding export diversification.

The project emphasises sustainable sourcing arrangements with farmers and aggregators, including transparent grading systems, prompt payments, and farmer engagement programmes. It also promotes employment creation and skills transfer to build local technical and managerial capacity.

Minister Eric Opoku highlighted the strategic significance of the project within the Feed Ghana Programme, stating:

“Feed Ghana is not just about growing more crops; it is about building industries around what we grow.”

He stressed that local processing will help retain Ghanaian wealth within the country, strengthen rural communities, and create jobs.

“When we process our cashew locally, we create jobs, strengthen farmers, and keep Ghanaian wealth within Ghana,” he added.

Industry analysts also note that domestic processing will help stabilise farm-gate prices, reduce post-harvest losses, and accelerate rural industrialisation, particularly in key cashew-producing regions.

Implementation Framework

While the agreement is non-binding and subject to further definitive arrangements, it establishes a clear implementation pathway. A Joint Technical Committee will oversee planning, monitor milestones, and ensure timely execution. Ownership of the plant remains with B5 Plus under the BO model.

Minister Opoku reaffirmed government commitment, stating:

“The era of exporting raw potential is over. Under Feed Ghana, we are turning harvest into industry and agriculture into the engine of economic transformation.”

If successfully implemented, the MoFA-B5 partnership could serve as a model for other tree crops and agricultural value chains, supporting Ghana’s transition from commodity dependence to industrial transformation.

Source: Accra Business News