Hot SourceBenin’s flagship Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ), located in Cotonou, welcomed a high-level Ghanaian delegation on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, led by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah.
The visit was organised at the invitation of Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP), which develops and operates world-class industrial zones across Africa, showcasing its modern infrastructure and commitment to sustainable development on the continent.
The one-day working tour aimed to expose Ghanaian officials to Benin’s integrated industrial model as ARISE IIP explores the possibility of establishing a similar zone in Ghana under former President John Mahama’s ambitious 24-Hour Economy Policy.
ARISE IIP has expressed strong support for President John Mahama’s policy, which seeks to boost productivity, employment, and exports through around-the-clock economic activity.
The Ghanaian delegation included Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare; Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, who is also MP for Asawase; Deputy Minister for Defence Ernest Brogya Genfi; Chief Executive of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Simon Madjie; Kyeretwie Opoku of the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat; and Courage Nunekpeku, Managing Director of the Tema Development Corporation (TDC).
The Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone, a public-private partnership between the Republic of Benin and ARISE IIP, is expected to attract at least US$1.4 billion in investment in its first phase and generate approximately 300,000 jobs by 2030. Once fully operational, the Park is projected to contribute between US$12 billion and US$13 billion to Benin’s national economy.
Unlike Ghana’s scattered free zones concept, GDIZ offers a centralised and fully integrated industrial ecosystem, with all key state institutions, including the police service, immigration, port services, and the national identification agency, located on site. The Park operates as a one-stop shop for businesses, ensuring efficiency, security, and regulatory support.
Factories at GDIZ operate 24 hours a day and are involved in the manufacturing of tiles, wood processing, textiles, garments, and the processing of cashew nuts.
The Park supplies uniforms for the military and police, as well as apparel for leading European brands, including Zara, FIFA, and other international sportswear companies. Most raw materials are locally sourced in Benin, though cashew nuts are imported from Ghana, highlighting opportunities for cross-border trade and regional collaboration.
ARISE IIP is currently financing the full US$1.5 billion investment required for the Park’s development.
With existing operations in Gabon (Gabon Special Economic Zone), Togo (Adétikopé Industrial Platform), and Benin, ARISE IIP is also expanding to Côte d’Ivoire and Chad. These upcoming zones will focus on the processing of local agricultural products, with all platforms offering integrated logistics services designed to enhance African countries’ global competitiveness.
Through its industrial zones, ARISE IIP aims to drive inclusive economic growth, support the structural transformation of African economies, and reduce income inequality by creating equitable opportunities for employment and value addition.
The Ghanaian delegation’s visit signals a growing interest in adapting Benin’s industrial success to Ghana’s economic strategy, as the country seeks innovative ways to industrialise and deliver jobs under the 24-Hour Economy vision.
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