Indomie maker to set up US$20m factory in Tema

Tolaram Group has put plans in motion to set up a manufacturing plant in Ghana to produce its highly demanded Indomie instant noodles.

Already the company has acquired a land at the industrial city of Tema to put up the plant estimated to cost about US$20 million.

The Chief Financial Officer of the Singapore-based Tolaram Group, Navin Nahata told the B&FT that construction of the plant will begin next year to carter for the growing demand for its product in the country.

He said the decision to setup the plant has become necessary as Ghana has been one of its fastest growing markets for its Indomie food over the past five years.

Currently, Indomie is by far the largest selling and one of the most popular instant noodles in West Africa on the back of a superlative brand-building strategy and change in the lifestyle of the youthful population.

As of now, Indomie products on the Ghanaian market are produced in Tolaram’s plants Nigeria and distributed in Ghana through about 100,000 retail outlets. Multi Pro Private limited is the lead distributor of Indomie in the country.

Demand for Indomie has opened jobs opportunities for several thousands of people across the country who retail and serve the noodles to thousands of people.

Mr. Nahata said the challenge that the company faces in its operations in Ghana is finding the right skill set to manage its operations.

“Sometimes, we don’t get the talent and right skills to run our business,” he said.

Indomie entered the African market through a joint venture deal between Dufil Prima foods, Tolaram Group and Salim Group of Indonesia.

The success of the Indomie products on the continent shows the potential of Africa’s consumer market.

By Evans Boah-Mensah | B&FT Online | Ghana