Industrial Giant: Mahama Launches $250M Glass Factory in Shama | Discuss Ghana

On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama reached a major milestone in his "Economic Reset" agenda by cutting the sod for a massive $250 million float glass factory in Aboadze, Shama District.

The President described the project as a decisive step toward ending Ghana’s dependence on imports, revealing that in 2024 alone, the country spent nearly $25 million to import over 65,000 tonnes of glass.

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1,400-Tonne Capacity: Africa’s New Industrial Hub

The facility, operated by the New Float Glass Manufacturing Company, is set to become one of the largest glass production plants on the African continent.

• Two-Phase Expansion:

  • Phase 1: Targets 600 tonnes per day, with completion expected by August 2027.

  • Phase 2: Will add 800 tonnes, bringing the total daily output to 1,400 tonnes.

• Export Powerhouse: At full scale, the factory is projected to generate approximately $100 million in annual export earnings, serving markets in Africa, Europe, and beyond.

• Job Creation: The project is expected to create 2,182 direct jobs—including 729 during construction and 1,453 permanent roles—plus thousands of indirect opportunities.

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Ghana Becomes West Africa’s 2nd Largest Economy

During the ceremony, President Mahama shared a significant update on the nation's macroeconomic performance.

• The $113B Milestone: Ghana’s economy has officially grown to $113 billion, solidifying its position as a regional powerhouse.

• Overtaking Neighbors: Mahama revealed that Ghana has now overtaken Côte d'Ivoire to become the second-largest economy in West Africa, trailing only Nigeria.

• Fiscal Contribution: Highlighting the importance of local manufacturing, the President noted that the investor behind the Shama projects paid GH₵740 million in taxes in 2025, with projections to exceed GH₵1 billion annually once the glass factory is operational.

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Triple Industrial Commissioning in the West

The Shama visit was not limited to the glass factory; it featured a "triple-header" of industrial expansions at the same enclave:

1. Glass Factory Sod-Cutting: The flagship $250M float glass project.

2. Sanitary Ware Commissioning: The official opening of a new sanitary ware production line.

3. Ceramic Tile Expansion: The inauguration of Phase Five of a ceramic tile line, raising total output to 200,000 square metres daily.