Ghana seeks Egyptian know-How to reboot poultry sector
Accra turns to Cairo for a strategic partnership. Ghanaian authorities believe Egyptian expertise can revive a domestic poultry industry that currently satisfies less than one-fifth of national demand. Official data indicates local production reached only 60,000 tonnes in 2023, meeting a mere 18 percent of consumption.
Egypt offers compelling advantages. The North African nation stands as the continent’s largest chicken producer. Cairo recently achieved self-sufficiency and now reports a 20 percent surplus. Export markets therefore become a logical next step.
The two countries initiated formal talks on July 7. Ghana’s Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry hosted Ambassador Wael Fathy Ahmed in Accra for exploratory discussions. Collaboration would likely cover production techniques and animal feed formulation.
Reviving Ghanaian poultry faces multiple hurdles. High feed costs and disease outbreaks have constrained expansion for years. Imported chicken continues to dominate supermarket shelves.
Egyptian success offers a potential roadmap. State support and integrated value chains propelled Cairo to self-sufficiency. Ghana hopes to adapt similar models.
Both parties express optimism about reaching concrete agreements. Technical working groups will define priority areas in coming weeks.
Trade officials emphasize the urgency of reducing import dependence.
The initiative forms part of broader agricultural transformation efforts. Authorities view poultry as strategic for food security and job creation. Consumer prices could stabilise if local production scales up successfully.
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