HACO Industries Kenya Limited, an African consumer goods manufacturer with more than five decades of experience developing products for African consumers, has signed a Manufacturing and Distribution Agreement with Ghana-based Ayewa Aberfur to manufacture and distribute Amara lotion, HACO’s skincare brand, in Ghana.

Founded more than 50 years ago, HACO Industries manufactures approximately 90 products across haircare, skincare, homecare and plastics. Its brands reach more than three million families across Africa, while the company works with more than 500 farmers across the continent to source raw materials.

Amara lotion has been developed to meet the diverse skincare needs of African consumers. Its expansion into Ghana marks an opportunity to bring the brand closer to consumers in West Africa while establishing local manufacturing and strengthening the regional value chains that support its products.

The partnership follows extensive market research that identified Ghana as a strategic entry point into West Africa, supported by its economic potential, business environment and position within the region.

The agreement follows a meeting between HACO Industries Managing Director Mary-Ann Musangi and Dr. Nanayaa Bates, Founder of Ayewa Aberfur, bringing together complementary expertise in manufacturing, product development, quality management and local market knowledge.

Under the agreement, HACO Industries will contribute its technical expertise, established product standards and manufacturing systems, while Ayewa Aberfur will bring its experience in product development, manufacturing and knowledge of the Ghanaian market. HACO Industries will retain oversight of key formulations, quality standards and technical processes while supporting the capabilities required for local production of Amara lotion.

The initiative has involved product validation, stability testing, operational reviews and technical training, alongside efforts to harmonize quality systems and implement consistent Standard Operating Procedures. Regular technical reviews, audits, knowledge sharing and shared quality controls will support consistent product quality across manufacturing locations.

The Ghana operation is expected to support HACO’s broader West African manufacturing strategy by enabling the company to produce closer to consumers while strengthening regional supply chains and leveraging opportunities created by intra-African trade.

“Africa’s manufacturing opportunity will increasingly be shaped by how effectively we connect capabilities, markets and value chains across the continent. Our partnership with Ayewa Aberfur brings together technical expertise and local knowledge to establish a strong foundation for manufacturing Amara in Ghana, while creating opportunities to strengthen the African value chains that support our brands,” noted Mary-Ann Musangi, Managing Director, HACO Industries.

The partnership also forms part of HACO’s broader approach to African value creation and backward integration. The company sources oils, butters and other raw materials from across the continent, creating stronger linkages between African producers, manufacturers and consumer markets.

By deepening these connections, HACO Industries is working to build more resilient regional supply chains while increasing the share of African value captured in the production of its brands.

The initiative aligns with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by supporting intra-African trade, regional manufacturing and the movement of African-made products across markets.

HACO aims to expand its presence to 30 African countries by 2030, with plans to establish five manufacturing hubs across the continent. This ambition is anchored in its vision to be Africa’s trusted brand of choice in beauty and wellness by 2030. The Ghana partnership forms part of this longer-term strategy to build manufacturing capacity closer to consumers, strengthen connections between African raw materials, manufacturing capabilities and markets, and support the growth of trusted African brands across the continent.