Ukraine opens first agricultural hub in Africa with Ghana partnership
The new centre aims to support food supply and expand trade links across West Africa.
GHANA – Ukraine has opened its first agricultural hub in Africa in Ghana, marking a step to grow its food supply links on the continent while supporting local systems.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Economy said the hub began operations on April 9 under a partnership between Ukrainian agribusiness firms and Ghanaian authorities. The agreement follows a memorandum signed in November 2025.
While officials did not share the exact site, the centre will handle distribution and later add processing and packaging.
The project forms part of the Food from Ukraine programme launched in November 2025. It builds on the Grain from Ukraine effort started in 2022 by President Volodymyr Zelensky, which focused on sending cereals to countries facing shortages in Africa and Asia with support from the World Food Programme.
The Ghana hub marks a shift from direct aid to a more local model. It combines sourcing, packing and delivery within the region. During the launch, teams distributed 4,000 food kits to vulnerable groups, including widows.
“Among the first kits distributed were Ghanaian rice and pasta produced in Ghana from Ukrainian flour,” the ministry said.
Ukraine ranks among the world’s top cereal exporters, behind the United States, India, Russia and Argentina. Through this hub, the country plans to grow its reach in West Africa and build stronger trade ties. Officials said Ghana will serve as a base for both aid and commercial supply along the west coast.
The move may also help Ukraine increase its share in sub-Saharan Africa’s wheat market, where its presence remains low. Trade data shows Ukraine exported about US$834 million worth of wheat to Africa, yet nearly all shipments went to North African countries such as Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia. Only a small share reached sub-Saharan markets like Djibouti, Angola and Mauritania.
Africa remains a major wheat buyer. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates imports reached 47.5 million tonnes in 2024, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for about 20.7 million tonnes.
The development comes as Ghana also pushes to improve its own food systems. The United Nations Development Programme and the Government of Ghana recently held the first steering meeting for a climate smart rice project in Accra.
The plan promotes alternate wetting and drying methods to cut methane emissions, reduce water use and lower costs for farmers. By 2030, it targets 11,000 farmers and aims to cut 1.3 million tonnes of carbon emissions while generating income through carbon credits.
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