Kenya-based HACO Industries has signed a manufacturing and distribution agreement with Ghana's Ayewa Aberfur to produce and distribute its Amara skincare lotion in Ghana. The deal, announced on October 5, 2026, marks HACO's entry into West Africa and was brokered following a meeting between HACO's Managing Director Mary-Ann Musangi and Ayewa Aberfur's founder Nanayaa Bates. The partnership is a strategic move into the West African region.
Under the agreement, HACO Industries will provide technical expertise, product formulations, and manufacturing standards, while Ayewa Aberfur will contribute its knowledge of the Ghanaian market and manufacturing capabilities. HACO will retain oversight of key quality controls and technical processes to ensure consistency across production sites. The companies have conducted product validation, stability testing, and technical training to align quality systems and standardize operating procedures.
HACO Industries, founded over 50 years ago, manufactures around 90 products spanning haircare, skincare, homecare, and plastics. Its brands currently reach over three million families across Africa, and the company works with more than 500 farmers continent-wide to source raw materials. The partnership with Ayewa Aberfur is part of HACO's strategy to expand its presence across Africa.
The Ghana deal aligns with HACO's wider continental strategy to establish a presence in 30 African countries and build five manufacturing hubs by 2030. The company aims to become Africa's leading beauty and wellness brand by that date. HACO's Managing Director, Mary-Ann Musangi, said the partnership reflects a broader philosophy of connecting manufacturing capacity to local markets.
Musangi emphasized that Africa's manufacturing opportunity will be shaped by how effectively capabilities, markets, and value chains are connected across the continent. The partnership with Ayewa Aberfur brings together technical expertise and local knowledge to establish a strong foundation for manufacturing Amara in Ghana. The initiative supports intra-African trade and the movement of locally produced goods across regional markets.
By producing closer to consumers in West Africa, HACO intends to reduce supply chain distances, deepen backward integration, and increase the share of value created within Africa for its products. The partnership is aligned with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). HACO's expansion plans are expected to create opportunities for local farmers and manufacturers.
The collaboration between HACO Industries and Ayewa Aberfur is a significant step in HACO's pan-African ambitions. With a presence in over 30 African countries and five manufacturing hubs, HACO aims to strengthen African value chains and become a leading beauty and wellness brand. The company's commitment to local production and partnerships is expected to drive growth and development in the region.
Key points
- HACO Industries partners with Ayewa Aberfur to manufacture and distribute Amara skincare lotion in Ghana
- The company aims to establish a presence in 30 African countries and build five manufacturing hubs by 2030
- The partnership supports intra-African trade and the movement of locally produced goods across regional markets
