Ghana has been ranked the 8th most industrialised or manufacturing country in Africa, a recognition driven by the government’s flagship One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative and the international success of long-established companies like Kasapreko and Fan Milk.
The ranking was published in a new report by The African Exponent, a trusted analytical source for entrepreneurs and potential investors across the continent.
According to the report, Ghana’s consistent emphasis on value-added processing in agriculture—particularly cocoa—has fundamentally reshaped its industrial landscape, creating a vibrant ecosystem of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) alongside multinational manufacturers.
South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria take top spots
Ghana’s inclusion among the top 10 African manufacturing economies places it in a competitive club dominated by long-industrialised economies.
South Africa topped the ranking as the most industrialised nation on the continent in 2025, followed by Egypt and Nigeria in second and third positions, respectively.
South Africa’s dominance is underpinned by its advanced infrastructure, diversified industrial base, and strong global partnerships—particularly in the automotive, steel, chemical, and food processing sectors.
Egypt, on the other hand, benefits from a robust export network to Europe and the Middle East, and an increasingly dynamic pharmaceutical and petrochemical industry.
Nigeria, with its large domestic market and powerful industrial conglomerates like the Dangote Group and BUA Group, has cemented its place as a continental heavyweight.
Its top manufacturing sectors include cement, consumer goods, oil refining, and food processing.
Other nations in the top 10
The rest of the top ten comprises Morocco in 4th, Kenya in 5th, Algeria in 6th, Ethiopia in 7th, Tunisia in 9th, and Zambia in 10th.
These countries, like Ghana, are leveraging sector-specific strengths to expand their manufacturing capabilities and attract foreign direct investment. Morocco, for instance, has become a hub for automotive manufacturing, while Kenya is rapidly emerging as a leader in agro-processing and light manufacturing.
