VAOB Group Limited Joins AmCham Ghana

AmCham Ghana is pleased to welcome VAOB Group Limited as our newest Gold Member.

VAOB Group Limited is a rapidly expanding multi-industry organization with extensive expertise in originating, structuring, and financing infrastructure projects across West Africa. Over the past four years, VAOB has played a pivotal role in securing nearly $300 million in funding for critical infrastructure projects across Sub-Saharan Africa. Their contributions span diverse sectors, including the supply of rolling stock, hospital construction, bridges, water systems, and other essential infrastructure developments.

Bridging the Infrastructure Gap: The VAOB Story

When our Chairman, Tony P. Burkson, returned to Ghana in 2016 after years in the UK, he saw a continent brimming with potential—yet held back by a familiar challenge: the lack of financing for critical infrastructure. As the founding CEO of the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, he worked closely with businesses, investors, and government agencies to drive economic growth. British companies sought to expand into Africa, Ghanaian businesses pursued international partnerships, and governments had bold visions for infrastructure development. However, time and again, projects faltered due to one fundamental issue—securing financing. Investors hesitated, wary of the lack of structured, bankable deals.

Tony soon realized the problem extended beyond capital—it was about connection. A gap existed between those in need of financing and those with the resources to provide it. African governments and private sector players often lacked the expertise to structure projects in a way that appealed to global investors. Meanwhile, financiers remained cautious, having witnessed too many promising initiatives collapse due to poor planning, corruption, or a lack of transparency. What was missing was a bridge—an entity capable of transforming ambitious infrastructure plans into well-structured, investable opportunities.

The Birth of VAOB Infrastructure Group

Thus, VAOB Infrastructure Group was established to become that bridge—the missing link between vision and execution. By leveraging an extensive network of global financial institutions, export credit agencies, and development banks, VAOB structures deals that attract long-term investment. Whether it’s a highway connecting communities, a state-of-the-art hospital improving healthcare, or an upgraded rail system facilitating trade, VAOB ensures that financing is no longer a barrier to Africa’s progress.

With a deep understanding of both local markets and international investment standards, VAOB has already secured over $400 million in funding for transformative projects. More than just raising capital, VAOB is restoring confidence in infrastructure financing by ensuring transparency, sustainability, and long-term value for both investors and governments.

Beyond Infrastructure: Expanding Our Impact

Recognizing the broader needs of Africa’s economic landscape, VAOB has since expanded, giving rise to two key subsidiaries:

· Verasure, a digitech-driven insurance brokerage, revolutionizing risk management and financial security.

· V-Rail, an engineering company specializing in the refurbishment, leasing, procurement, and supply of new and pre-owned rolling stock across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Our Commitment to Partnerships and Progress

As members of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), we look forward to fostering meaningful relationships, sharing our vision, and exploring new avenues for collaboration. Through the AmCham network, we aim to deepen our engagement, drive impactful partnerships, and contribute to Africa’s development journey.

Africa’s future is being built today—one project, one investment, one partnership at a time. At VAOB, we are not just funding development; we are shaping the foundation of progress.

AmCham Ghana is proud to welcome Africa Skills Hub Foundation as our newest Corporate Member.

Africa Skills Hub Foundation (ASH) is a Ghana-based business development service provider dedicated to creating economic and skill-based opportunities for Africa’s youth, women, and SMEs. Since its establishment in 2016, ASH has empowered young graduates with essential skills and job opportunities, supported SMEs in entrepreneurship, agribusiness, digital transformation, and climate-smart practices, and facilitated access to capital and markets for women-led businesses.

Committed to driving sustainable development, ASH equips women and youth with the tools to become catalysts for change in their communities. Beyond training, ASH offers extensive aftercare services, including regulatory support, IT solutions, financial guidance, legal assistance, market access, and intellectual property services. Additionally, ASH provides a dedicated fund focused on agriculture, green initiatives, and digital innovation, specifically supporting women and youth-led enterprises.

Through strategic partnerships with Pan-African multilateral institutions, private sector leaders, government youth agencies, universities, development partners, and youth-focused organizations, ASH continues to co-create impactful programs that foster growth and innovation across Africa.

We look forward to a meaningful collaboration with Africa Skills Hub Foundation in advancing economic empowerment and sustainable development across the continent.

Enterprise Life Representatives Present the New Corporate Manager and Provide Policy Updates at the Secretariat

On Friday, January 24, 2025, representatives from Enterprise Life visited the Secretariat to engage with our team and provide valuable insights into their insurance policies. During the visit, they introduced their newly appointed Corporate Manager and outlined a range of insurance solutions tailored to corporate and individual needs. This initiative aimed to encourage our members to explore diverse insurance options that offer financial security and long-term benefits. The meeting fostered a collaborative dialogue on the importance of risk management and comprehensive coverage, reinforcing our commitment to equipping members with essential financial planning resources.

 

Board members of AmCham Ghana paid a visit to H.E. John A. Kufuor

On January 8, 2025, the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce, led by Kimathi Kuenyehia, President of AmCham Ghana, paid a courtesy visit to the former President of Ghana, H.E. John A. Kufuor, at his residence.

The visit served as an opportunity to convey heartfelt appreciation for his invaluable support and to honor his presence at the Chamber’s 35th Anniversary Thanksgiving Dinner and Awards Night held in late November 2024.

[unitegallery AmChamvisit]

Industrial Coatings Africa Unveils New Showroom at North Industrial Area,Accra

Industrial Coatings Africa, the leading provider of industrial coatings and painting solutions, is pleased to announce the grand opening of its new showroom located at North Industrial Area, Dadeban Road, off Klan Street, adjacent Cowbell, Accra-Ghana.

The new showroom showcases a wide range of industrial maintenance & protectivecoatings and painting solutions designed to meet the specific needs of various industriesoperating in harsh and severe environments including Mining, Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, Construction, Marine, Telecommunications, Sewerage & Waste Water Treatment Plants, Aviation, industrial installation & infrastructure development etc.

The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art color matching equipment to produce clients color of choice and expertly trained staff to provide customers with exceptional service and support.

We are thrilled to bring our expertise – as manufacturer and distributor of the industry’s highest–technology anti-corrosion, anti-abrasion, chemical–resistant, fire-retardant, waterproofing, and industrial flooring coatings – to the heart of Africa and our commitment to quality, R&D, coating science, and technology keeps us on top of the industrial coatings game.

Our new showroom is designed to provide customers with a comprehensive experience, from product and color selection to application guidance. We look forward to building long-term relationships with our clients and providing them with cutting-edge coatings solutions that contributes to overall sustainability of their operations and the growth and development of the industrial sector in Africa.

Our new showroom features a vast range of industrial maintenance and protective coating products, including Polyurea-Polyurethane highly crosslinking elastomeric coatings,epoxy resin coatings, polyurethane coatings, moisture cure coatings, Fire-Retardant Coatings, and specialized primers and topcoats for applications across vast industries and environments.

Our brands include Polyval, Polyflex, Xymax, Nofire, PolyRock, Polyur, Xyguard, Mono Ferro, Beyond, etc.

Industrial Coatings Africa is dedicated to providing innovative coating solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers in various industries and the company’s commitment to quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction has earned us a reputation as a trusted partners in the industry.

Our team of experts are always available to provide comprehensive guidance on product selection, application techniques, and maintenance recommendations.

To crown this grand opening, Industrial Coatings Africa is offering special promotions and discounts on select products and customers are invited to visit our new showroom and experience the company’s expertise and offerings firsthand.

For more information about Industrial Coatings Africa or to schedule a visit to the new showroom, please contact:

• Call/WhatsApp: +233 243 125 882 | +233 507 656 464 | +233 256 025 000 | +233 256 025 001 | +233 249 119 365
• Email: info.sourcelink@industrialcoatingsafrica.com
• Website: www.industrialcoatingsafrica.com

We look forward to welcoming and working for you.

“Industrial Coatings Africa… Tomorrow’s Technology today”

MAX INDUSTRIES LTD – RICE FACTORY

Max Industries ltd was established in July, 2020 at Dawa near the Dawa Industrial Zone, to produce high quality rice for the local market and also render toll milling services for rice farmers, cooperatives and commercial rice traders in Ghana and neighbouring countries. The factory specializes in processing paddy rice into polished rice, ensuring maximum recovery rates and quality output while adhering to food safety standards.

MISSION AND VISION

Mission

The mission of Max Industries Ltd is to produce locally grown and processed white rice in Ghana and also empower local rice producers by delivering efficient, reliable and cost-effective toll milling services that enhance the value of their service.

Vision
To become a leading producer and preferred choice of locally grown and milled white rice in addition to being recognized as the leading toll milling rice factory in the region delivering excellent services, innovation and sustainability.

SERVICES
The factory offers a comprehensive range of services that include:
1.⁠ ⁠Paddy Milling: Processing raw paddy into polished white rice
2.⁠ ⁠Grain Sorting and Grading: Ensuring uniform quality by removing impurities, broken
grains and discoloured kernels
3.⁠ ⁠Fortification: Adding micronutrients to milled rice to produce fortified rice for nutritional
enrichment
4.⁠ ⁠Packaging: Providing customized packaging solutions based on client specifications (1kg,
5kg, 25kg, 50kg etc.)

FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY

Max Industries Ltd is equipped with state-of-the-art milling equipment which includes:
 Two automated rice milling plants with a total capacity of 100MT a day for high capacity
operations
 An automated 30MT drying machine, 500MT silos, pre-cleaners, de-stoners, de-huskers,
polishers and graders for efficient rice processing.
 Two electric forklifts to facilitate transfer of goods
 Rawmaterials and Finished products warehouses with 10,000 cubic capacity each for
secured storage of raw and finished products
 A standby 800kva power generation plant
 An on-site office complex to handle administrative processes
 An on-site apartment for the factory senior management staff

ENGAGEMENTS
Max Industries Ltd is currently working on producing its own brand of local rice Maxi Rice with
processes far advanced. In addition to the above, Max Industries Ltd is currently undertaking toll
milling services for some of the major brands in the local rice industry such as Nana’s Rice by Agro
Kings Ltd, Evivi Rice by Newage Agric Solutions and AAC Rice by Asian African Consortium
managed by Jospong Group of Companies.
Finally, Max Industries Ltd has been contracted by World Food Programme (WFP) to produce
fortified rice to be distributed to Senior High Schools under the school feeding programme. This
is set to begin February, 2025.

FUTURE GOALS

Max Industries Ltd aims at expanding its services by:
 Acquiring vast lands and agricultural machinery for rice farming
 Upgrading its facilities in order to expand its current production capacity
 Build stronger partnerships with clients and stakeholders to promote the growth of the
local rice industry

AU Ambassador to the U.S. Visits AmCham Ghana

On the 5th of December 2024, the African Union (AU) Ambassador to the U.S., H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze, paid a courtesy visit to the Secretariat. H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze met with board members from leading companies, including Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola, Newmont Corporation, and PwC. The discussions focused on key business challenges in Ghana and across Africa, addressing market mobilization, scaling opportunities, and fostering integration between smaller businesses and larger enterprises.

The Secretariat also highlighted progress on the AfCFTA and AGOA, alongside deliberations on U.S. interests in supporting skilled workforce development to bolster economic growth. The conversation underscored the importance of collaboration in driving sustainable business growth and enhancing regional economic integration.

AmCham Ghana – Johnson & Johnson Prostate Cancer Project Launch

On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, AmCham Ghana, in partnership with Johnson & Johnson, the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), and SGMC Cancer Center, launched a comprehensive awareness campaign on prostate cancer. The event took place at Fiesta Royal Hotel in Accra.

The campaign aims to educate men about prostate cancer prevention and treatment while fostering a sustainable framework for broader outreach and collaboration. Attendees included a diverse group of police officers, traditional leaders, and health professionals from various facilities in Accra.

As part of the launch, participants were offered free prostate cancer screenings. The initiative also introduced veteran broadcaster and prostate cancer survivor, Kwaku Sintim Misa (KSM), as the campaign ambassador. KSM emphasized the importance of regular screening for men over 40, sharing his personal journey to inspire early detection and awareness.

The collaboration underscores the commitment of all partners to address prostate cancer through education, early detection, and inclusive community engagement.

AmCham Ghana Engages with First National Bank

On Thursday, 14th November 2024, Greg Usher, Senior Banker, along with representatives from First National Bank Ghana, visited the Chamber to address critical economic issues. Key topics included the depreciation of the Ghanaian cedi against the US dollar, high banking charges, and fees. The discussions also focused on fostering collaboration to strengthen financial ties and enhance economic partnerships between the U.S. and Ghana.