The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), Dr. Mary Awusi, has delivered a stirring address at the “Presidential Commissioning of the World’s Largest Calcined Clay Plant,” in Ghana, that positioned the Authority not merely as a regulator, but as a strategic architect of the nation’s industrialization drive.
Under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, the GFZA reached a historic milestone in its mission to transform the Republic into a premier continental manufacturing hub as it officially oversaw the commissioning of the plant, operated by CBI Limited.
Located within the Tema Free Zones Enclave, this new $80-million facility is a crowning achievement for the Administration’s industrial agenda, signaling to the global investor community that Ghana is now the epicenter of sustainable, high-impact manufacturing.
“This landmark investment firmly positions the Tema Free Zones Enclave and indeed Ghana at the forefront of sustainable and environmentally responsible cement production on the global stage. CBI exemplifies the transformative investment profile the Free Zones Program is designed to attract – large-scale, innovative, high-impact and sustainable investments”
Dr. Mary Awusi, GFZA CEO
Flanked by the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and the Swiss Ambassador, H.E. Simone Giger, Dr. Awusi highlighted that the CBI Limited project is not only a perfect fit for the Free Zones Scheme, but a game-changer for Ghana’s trade balance.
According to her, by utilizing local calcined clay to replace imported clinker in cement production, the facility directly supports the government’s mandate for import substitution. This transition to green technology reduces the carbon footprint of the construction sector while ensuring that the industrial value chain remains firmly rooted in Ghanaian soil.
Dr. Awusi noted that the decision by CBI Limited to anchor its “state-of-the-art” operations within the Tema Export Processing Zone reflects an unwavering confidence in the enabling environment fostered by the GFZA.
She noted that the Authority’s “Aftercare” services and the unique hybrid structure of the Tema enclave – which accommodates both free zones and non-free zones enterprises – provided the flexibility and fiscal incentives required to bring this world-class project to fruition.
The Afienya Evolution
Perhaps the most significant strategic announcement from the GFZA boss during the ceremony was the news that the Tema Export Processing Zone has officially reached full occupancy.
This capacity milestone is a clear indicator of the success of the 2026 industrial drive. However, to ensure that the momentum of Industrialization does not stall, Dr. Mary Awusi announced the rapid development of a new frontier: the Afienya Export Processing Zone.
“Fortunately or unfortunately, the Tema Export Processing Zone is fully occupied, thus necessitating the development of a new enclave in Afienya. The Afienya Export Processing Zone is being developed strategically close to the Tema Port to provide serviced industrial land and to support Ghana’s export-led industrial growth”
Dr. Mary Awusi, GFZA CEO
Strategically situated, the Afienya enclave is being designed as Ghana’s first “plug-and-play” industrial facility. This modern approach to Administration and infrastructure means that future investors will find ready-to-use land and utility connections, drastically reducing the “time-to-market” for new factories.
By providing a seamless entry point, the GFZA aims to accelerate job creation and sustain the export-led growth that the CBI Limited plant has so powerfully initiated.
The GFZA’s leadership emphasized that the journey to this commissioning required “determination, strategic collaboration, and an enduring belief in Ghana’s immense potential.”
To the Board and Management of CBI Limited, the Authority extended a commendation for their foresight and resilience, noting that the facility does more than produce cement; it strengthens the reputation of the Free Zones enclaves as the “Strategic Gateway,” for industrial growth in West Africa.
Dr. Awusi reaffirmed the Authority’s full commitment to ensuring that CBI Limited realizes its full potential. This includes ongoing support through the 24-Hour Economy framework, ensuring that the facility’s 24/7 operations are backed by efficient logistics and regulatory harmony.
As the world’s largest plant of its kind, it serves as a powerful marketing tool for the GFZA as it seeks to attract more “High-Impact” tenants to the upcoming Afienya site.
Excellence and Growth
As the Administration moves into the second quarter of 2026, the GFZA is doubling down on its commitment to providing a supportive and investor-friendly environment. The success of the CBI Limited project is a blueprint for future collaborations.
By integrating local raw materials, high-tech manufacturing, and global environmental standards, the GFZA is proving that Ghana’s Industrialization is both profitable and sustainable.
Dr. Awusi concluded her remarks by reaffirming the Authority’s dedication to every tenant within the Free Zones Scheme, reminding everyone that the commissioning of this facility is not the end of a process, but the beginning of an era where Ghana leads the world in green industrial solutions.
The GFZA stands ready to facilitate the next wave of “extraordinary milestones,” that will define the nation’s economic future.
READ ALSO: ADB Donates to Ghana Medical Trust Fund to Support Medical Care in Ghana
