OPDAG welcomes government’s US$500m oil palm development finance window

The Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG) has praised the Government of Ghana and Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson for announcing a US$500 million Oil Palm Development Finance Window in the 2026 Budget.

In a statement, OPDAG described the initiative as a decisive commitment that confirms government’s recognition of the oil palm industry as a strategic pillar for economic transformation, industrialization, and job creation across the agricultural value chain.

The financing programme, which falls under the new National Policy on Integrated Oil Palm Development (2026–2032), includes a long-tenor concessional facility with a five-year moratorium on both principal and interest. It will also offer funding support covering up to 70% of project costs for plantations, processing, and value-addition facilities.

According to the policy targets, government aims to develop 100,000 hectares of new plantations and create more than 250,000 direct and indirect jobs. The initiative will also focus on sustainability, out-grower schemes, and value addition to build a competitive oil-palm economy.

OPDAG noted that the intervention is timely, pointing out that Ghana currently produces about 300,000 metric tonnes of palm oil annually, against a national demand of more than 400,000 tonnes. The association said closing the 100,000-tonne deficit will help reduce imports, save foreign exchange and improve rural livelihoods.

As part of efforts to strengthen governance, transparency and competitiveness in the sector, OPDAG said it is collaborating with Royvia Plus.

Read Full Statement Below

OPDAG Applauds Government’s US$500 Million Oil Palm Financing Window A Bold Step for Rural Industrialization, Traceability and Job Creation

The Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG) warmly commends the Government of Ghana, and the Honorable Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, for the far-reaching announcement in the 2026 Budget of a dedicated US$500 million Oil Palm Development Finance Window.

This decisive commitment reflects the Government’s recognition of the oil palm sector as a strategic pillar for economic transformation, industrialization and largescale job creation across Ghana’s agricultural value chain.

Delivered under the new National Policy on Integrated Oil Palm Development (2026-2032), the initiative includes:

 A long-tenor, concessionary financing facility with a five-year moratorium on principal and interest.  Funding support covering up to 70% of project costs for plantations, processing and value-addition facilities.  A national target of cultivating 100,000 hectares of new plantations and generating over 250,000 direct and indirect jobs.  A clear focus on sustainability, out-grower schemes and value-addition to build a globally competitive oil-palm economy.

OPDAG observes that this policy direction is timely, given that Ghana produces approximately 300,000 metric tonnes of palm oil annually against a national demand of over 400,000 metric tonnes—leaving a deficit of more than 100,000 tonnes. Closing this gap will reduce imports, conserve foreign exchange and strengthen rural livelihoods.

As part of our commitment to strengthening governance, transparency and global competitiveness in the oil-palm sector, OPDAG is collaborating with Royvia Plus International Limited, promoters of the DJER Traceability System—a state-of-theart digital solution from Japan with a world standard system designed to enhance traceability, monitoring, and security across agricultural supply chains.

The DJER System introduces end-to-end traceability for oil-palm production, from plantation through processing, storage, transport and export. This technology will support Ghana’s compliance with international market requirements, reduce illicit trade, facilitate quality assurance, and strengthen investor confidence in the sector.

OPDAG is optimistic that the integration of digital traceability solutions such as the DJER System will complement Government’s financial intervention and significantly boost efficiency, transparency and value creation across the oil-palm industry.

OPDAG stands ready to collaborate with Government, financial institutions, development partners and private-sector actors to ensure successful implementation of this landmark facility.

We further encourage all stakeholders to embrace innovation, adopt sustainable practices, and integrate digital tools to accelerate the growth of a modern, competitive and globally compliant oil-palm industry.

For further information, please contact: Paul Kwabena Amaning President 0576335247 Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG)