Pangea Africa Limited and Black Star Africa Limited have jointly acquired a majority stake in Eden Tree Limited, a leading Ghanaian fresh food producer. This significant transaction paves the way for new leadership and ambitious plans to expand Eden Tree's operations across West Africa.
The acquisition marks an exit for Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P), an international impact investment firm that held shares in Eden Tree since 2015. While the financial terms and individual stakes were not disclosed, the deal signifies a major shift in ownership and strategic direction for the company. Eden Tree founder Catherine Krobo Edusei will transition from day-to-day leadership after 29 years, remaining as a director and Founder Emeritus. Grant Webber, representing Black Star Africa, will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, and Pangea Africa Director Tracy Boswell Scicchitano will join Eden Tree’s Board of Directors.
This ownership change aligns with a broader trend of increased private equity interest in Ghana's agribusiness sector, driven by growing demand for processed foods and improved supply chain efficiencies. Ghana's agricultural sector remains a vital contributor to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), making investments in food production and distribution critical for economic stability and growth. The focus on regional expansion also reflects Ghana's ambition to become a food hub in West Africa, leveraging its agricultural potential.
Mrs. Krobo Edusei expressed pride in Eden Tree's journey, stating, “Building Eden Tree over nearly three decades has been the privilege of my life.” She highlighted the company's success in meeting international standards and expressed confidence in the new owners. Mrs. Scicchitano affirmed Eden Tree’s potential, noting, “At Pangea, we believe that empowering local food systems requires active, hands-on equity stewardship.”
The new investors' immediate priorities include improving Eden Tree’s operations and significantly reducing post-harvest losses, which can reach up to 50% for fresh produce in West Africa. They plan to install solar-powered cooling facilities near farms, expand climate-smart drip irrigation, and organize more farmers into outgrower cooperatives. These interventions aim to preserve produce longer, stabilize supply, and lower costs for consumers, directly impacting food security and affordability in Ghana.
John Scicchitano, a Strategic Advisor at Pangea Africa, emphasized that fragmented supply chains and cold-chain failures contribute to substantial losses, reducing farmer incomes and increasing consumer prices. He stated, “By installing solar-powered cooling units near farms, expanding climate-smart drip irrigation and organising outgrower cooperatives, we will preserve nutrients from field to fork, directly driving down the cost of a healthy diet in Ghana.” The company did not provide a timeline or specific investment figures for these planned expansions.
Incoming CEO Grant Webber indicated that the initial phase will concentrate on operational optimization, combining Black Star’s turnaround execution with Pangea’s strategic capital. This integrated approach aims to build a robust West African fresh food champion. The transaction also represents an important secondary-market event for Ghana, demonstrating the viability of exiting investments in local companies and attracting new capital.
This acquisition is expected to have a positive ripple effect on Ghana’s agricultural value chain, potentially creating more stable markets for farmers and improving food access for consumers. The focus on reducing post-harvest waste aligns with national efforts to enhance food security and agricultural productivity. Stakeholders will closely watch the implementation of these new strategies and their impact on Eden Tree’s market position and the broader West African food landscape.