GIP invests in Truecoco to support sustainable agricultural growth

Growth Investment Partners (GIP) Ghana LTD, an investment platform established by British International Investment (BII) the UK development finance institution and impact investor, today announced its investment in Truecoco Ghana Limited (Truecoco), a local agricultural processing and exporting company located in the Western Region of Ghana.

This investment will help in expanding Truecoco's soybean processing operations and launch a durable carbon capture biochar project, which will contribute to community development, environmental sustainability, and local economic growth.

GIP, a Ghanaian investment platform licensed by Ghana’s Security and Exchange Commission, provides long-term, flexible capital, predominantly in local currency, to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). GIP aims to bridge the financing gap for Ghanaian SMEs which are critical to promoting sustainable economic growth.

Truecoco Ghana Ltd. is a leading agricultural processing and trading company committed to responsible sourcing and sustainable business practices. Since its inception in 2017, the company has focused on the ethical procurement of raw materials, ensuring that the livelihoods of small-scale farmers are at the heart of its operations. By working directly with over 4,000 smallholder farmers in Ghana, Truecoco guarantees a sustainable and traceable supply chain while contributing to the socio-economic empowerment of local communities.

The investment will also fund the development of an industrial biochar carbon removal project. Biochar is a carbon-rich material made from pyrolysis of organic waste, including agricultural by-products, in a low-oxygen environment. It is used to improve soil health, retain moisture, and capture carbon from the atmosphere, contributing to sustainable agriculture and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Truecoco will source typically discarded coconut husks from surrounding farms and processing firms in surrounding areas and convert them to biochar. The project is aligned with Ghana’s ambitious climate target and aims to be the leading carbon removal technology project in the country. The biochar initiative will achieve six United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as well as provide additional revenue for smallholder farmers and reduce the cost of organic inputs for Ghanaian farmers.

This investment from GIP builds on previously announced investments in a Ghanaian Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) company, E-Services Africa Ltd (eSAL) and micro-lending institution, FIDO Micro Credit Ltd, as the platform looks to stimulate growth and development across Ghana's SME sector.

Jacob Kholi, Chief Executive and Investment Officer of GIP Ghana stated: “We are very excited about the Truecoco investment and the opportunity to support local agri-processing companies. Commercially successful businesses such as Truecoco are vital to building local agri-processing capacity, strengthening Ghana’s agricultural value chain and enhancing food safety.”

“I am delighted to complete this transaction with GIP; their innovative funding mechanisms are a good fit for our business growth plans. We are excited to deploy this capital to expand our existing business and launch our state-of-the-art carbon capture project. Ghana must play a significant role in climate change mitigation, and we are determined to be a key player,” Freddy Lydford, Managing Director, Truecoco Ghana Limited said.

Kwabena Asante-Poku, Coverage Director for Ghana at British International Investment added “Our investments in Ghana highlight our commitment to supporting sustainable economic development and fostering impactful growth across key sectors. By partnering with innovative companies like Truecoco, we are contributing to local job creation, environmental sustainability, and the empowerment of smallholder farmers, which are central to our mission.”