Government Deepens Strategic Partnership with Zoomlion to Drive Continental Innovation
Ghana's government has announced plans to strengthen its transformative partnership with Zoomlion Ghana Limited, positioning the West African nation as a continental leader in environmental innovation and sustainable job creation. The announcement signals a new chapter in one of Africa's most successful public-private partnerships.
From Jamestown Startup to Continental Giant
Speaking at the Jospong Annual Thanksgiving Service 2025, Minister for Local Government Ibrahim Ahmed highlighted Zoomlion's remarkable journey from a small Jamestown office to operating across 24 African countries with 78 subsidiaries spanning 14 sectors.
"Tell me, which other Ghanaian company commands a presence in 25 African countries? None," Ahmed stated, calling the expansion "historical, inspirational, and a testament to Ghanaian excellence."
Global Recognition and Infrastructure Success
The partnership has delivered measurable results that caught international attention. During a recent sanitation benchmarking trip to South Korea, only two African countries impressed Korean officials: Ghana and Morocco.
This recognition stems from Zoomlion's development of 36 completed composting, recycling, and waste treatment plants, creating the largest sanitation infrastructure network in West Africa. The success contributed to the United Nations designating Ghana as the "Sanitation and Waste Management Hub for West Africa" in 2025.
Three Waves of Ghanaian Excellence
Minister Ahmed placed Zoomlion's continental expansion in historical context, identifying it as Ghana's third wave of global influence. "The first wave was Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's liberation efforts across the continent. The second wave was when the Ghanaian Black Stars conquered African football. The third wave is Zoomlion's expansion across Africa," he explained.
Strategic Focus on Youth Employment and Innovation
The enhanced partnership prioritizes sustainable job creation for young Ghanaians, environmental health protection, and strengthening decentralization efforts. Ahmed emphasized that Zoomlion's work directly supports key national development goals while demonstrating the critical role of private sector innovation.
Jospong Group Executive Chairman Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong attributed the company's success to "divine providence and consistent national support," acknowledging backing from multiple administrations including Presidents Rawlings, Mills, Kufuor, Akufo-Addo, and Mahama.
Continental Industrial Excellence
The partnership positions Ghana as a center of industrial excellence on the African continent, with Zoomlion's operations now spanning solid waste, liquid waste, and medical waste treatment across multiple countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, The Gambia, and Gabon.
"As a nation, we cannot discuss environmental sanitation, waste management, public health, the green economy or modern local governance without acknowledging the remarkable contribution of the Jospong Group and Zoomlion," Ahmed concluded.
The deepened partnership represents a model for African entrepreneurship and innovation, demonstrating how strategic public-private collaboration can drive continental development and position local companies as regional leaders.