VALCO Launches New Rolling Mill to Transform Ghana's Aluminium Value Chain

The Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO) has announced a significant strategic shift with the introduction of a new continuous casting and rolling mill, marking its transition from a primary aluminium producer to a provider of value-added industrial products. This initiative is designed to produce high-quality aluminium rods specifically for Ghana's domestic electrical cable industry and the international market. By manufacturing these intermediate products locally, VALCO aims to drastically reduce the country's heavy reliance on imported aluminium, fostering a more self-reliant manufacturing sector under the broader vision of national industrialization.

Speaking at a mid-year performance review organized by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, VALCO’s Finance Director, Sepenu Agbetsise, revealed that the new production line has already undergone rigorous industrial testing. Local manufacturing giants, including Nexans Kablemetal and Reroy Cables, have successfully verified test samples, signaling a ready market for the mill's output. Beyond domestic borders, VALCO has already shipped 25 metric tonnes of aluminium rods to Europe for testing, with positive results expected to bolster Ghana’s presence in the global commodities market and attract foreign exchange.

The operationalization of the rolling mill is expected to shorten supply chains for local manufacturers while significantly lowering international logistics and procurement costs. By providing a steady, local source of raw materials, VALCO is positioning itself as a cornerstone of the Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI). This move not only retains more value within the Ghanaian economy but also encourages secondary and tertiary industries to expand their operations, potentially creating more jobs in the manufacturing and engineering sectors.

Despite these advancements, VALCO continues to navigate the challenge of relying on imported alumina, which impacts overall operational efficiency and production costs. To address this, the government is actively seeking strategic investments to establish a domestic alumina refinery. Completing this link in the value chain is seen as essential for fully realizing the potential of Ghana’s bauxite reserves and ensuring that VALCO can operate at maximum efficiency. The successful integration of the rolling mill represents a critical first step toward a fully integrated aluminium industry that serves both local needs and global demand.