Kasapreko’s stock market listing highlights strength of indigenous enterprise - Trade Minister

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has lauded the listing of Kasapreko PLC on the Ghana Stock Exchange as proof of the strength and global competitiveness of Ghanaian-owned businesses.

Speaking at the official ceremony in Accra on Monday, she noted that Kasapreko’s development from a small startup in Nungua to an international manufacturer exporting to Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America shows the potential of indigenous enterprise.

She disclosed that the company’s Initial Public Offer, which aimed to raise GH¢700 million, attracted GH¢1.73 billion in bids from more than 18,000 Ghanaian investors.

“The offer was oversubscribed by 146 per cent, the largest recorded by a locally owned manufacturing company on the Ghana Stock Exchange,” she said.

According to the Minister, the strong investor response indicates growing confidence in Ghana’s economy and in the future of home-grown industries.

She stated that Kasapreko is entering the stock market from a position of strength.

“The funds raised will be used mainly for the construction of a new production facility at Adeiso to expand its bottled water and soft drink operations,” she added.

Mrs Ofosu-Adjare credited the government’s work on macroeconomic stabilisation, investor confidence, and structured private sector engagement for creating an environment where businesses can thrive.

She pointed to the Presidential Private Sector Dialogues and other policy interventions that have helped address challenges for exporters and manufacturers.

The Minister outlined her Ministry’s plans to strengthen industrial growth through initiatives such as Feed-the-Industry, a forthcoming Agribusiness Policy, and the revival of the Made-in-Ghana Fair.

She said these measures are designed to boost local sourcing, promote value addition, enhance competitiveness, and support the emergence of more globally successful Ghanaian companies.

On regional trade, she noted that Ghana is leading efforts within ECOWAS to address non-tariff barriers affecting manufacturers.

She mentioned a recent ministerial visit to Kasapreko’s production facility, which influenced discussions at the 5th Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Trade and Industry.

She also praised the thousands of Ghanaians who invested in the IPO, calling their participation a vote of confidence in the country’s industrial future.

She expressed hope that Kasapreko’s successful listing will encourage other indigenous companies to access the capital market and contribute to Ghana’s industrial transformation.

On his part, the Managing Director of Kasapreko Plc, Richard Adjei, said the listing on the main market of the exchange shows that Ghanaians are ready to support their own businesses.

He commended the Group CEO and Founder for his vision and foresight, and thanked all partners for their commitment and dedication to the company over the past 30 years.