Ghanaian-Swiss company Koa inaugurates Africa's largest cocoa fruit factory in Achiase
Ghanaian-Swiss start-up Koa took the next step to scale its impact in the cocoa sector on August 25, 2023, inaugurating its second cocoa fruit factory in Akim Achiase, in the Eastern Region of Ghana, together with 600 guests, the Ministry of Trade & Industry and the Embassy of Switzerland.
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The new facility will allow Koa to scale its production capabilities tenfold, thereby allowing the company to cooperate with an additional 10,000 cocoa smallholders in Ghana.
Koa is disrupting the cocoa industry through its innovative upcycling of the cocoa fruit.
The independent Ghanaian-Swiss company is the first company in West Africa to have unlocked a new value chain around the so far discarded cocoa pulp.
Working closely with cocoa smallholders, Koa reduces on-farm food waste around the cocoa fruit and increases cocoa farmers’ income while at the same time bringing unique new ingredients to the gastronomy and food and beverage industry for applications ranging from chocolate, confectionery, ice cream to drinks in Ghana and abroad.
Since its foundation in 2017, Koa has upcycled 800 tons of cocoa fruit that was, until that day, overlooked in the cocoa industry. 2,200 cocoa farmers benefitted within the first five years, earning a total of GH₵2.3 million (USD 300,000).
The inauguration of the cocoa fruit factory in Akim Achiase on Friday, August 25, 2023, marked the beginning of a new era for Koa, as it expands its reach and impact.
It highlights the contribution of the company towards sustainable growth in rural Ghana and making a positive impact on the cocoa industry.
Distinguished guests, including the Minister of Trade and Industry, Kobina Tahir Hammond,; Daasebre Nana Gyenin; Kantan IV Nifa Hene of Akyim Abuakwa, Traditional Council; and Dr. Simone Haeberli, Deputy Head of Mission & Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Switzerland in Ghana, Togo and Benin graced the occasion in Akim Achiase in Ghana’s Eastern Region.
In his welcome address, Koa’s Managing Director and Co-Founder, Anian Schreiber, highlighted how the new factory serves as a milestone in the company's ambition to positively transform the cocoa value chain.
“By supplying products for both the domestic and international market, we will add value to the farmers, the communities and all people who work around here. This factory will connect Achiase and Ghana to the world”, Anian Schreiber said.
Daniel Otu, Production and Operations Director at Koa, explained that “the new factory will allow the company to grow in line with the demand from its customers. The factory will generate 250 new jobs in rural Ghana and allow us to extend our cocoa fruit upcycling to an additional 10,000 cocoa farmers."