Collins Sefa For decades, the sector was dominated by subsistence farming. Today, thanks to technology, shifting mindsets, and targeted investment, agriculture is becoming a modern, resilient industry that increasingly attracts young entrepreneurs. While Ghana’s economy is largely driven by services (46.8%), industry (29.7%) and agriculture (23.5%), the agricultural share is proving both adaptive and promising.
One unlikely driver of this shift is Tullow Ghana, a major oil and gas operator.
Tullow Agriventures Programme (TAP)
Through its flagship Tullow Agriventures Programme (TAP), run in partnership with the Innohub Foundation, the company is working to strengthen Ghana’s agribusiness value chain. The multi-year initiative targets training, financing, and market access — the very areas where small businesses often struggle.
Its goals are ambitious: 600 new agribusinesses launched, 30 ventures expanded, and 6,000 direct and indirect jobs created. Focus areas range from crop production and rice farming to aquaculture and agritech startups.
Last year alone, 440 small enterprises received tailored support, with many already reporting significant growth.
Lives Transformed
In Ghana’s Eastern Region, a single mother who once struggled to feed her family now runs a profitable soybean farm. She says her greatest joy is being able to pay her children’s school fees and reinvest in her farm.
In the Volta Region, a young woman who left school after junior high now earns about GH¢10,000 every six months from her crops, thanks to TAP’s support.
One of TAP’s standout features is its startup fund for agribusiness entrepreneurs. Last year, ten young business owners secured US$10,000 each in seed funding, awarded through a competitive pitch. This year, the number of beneficiaries will double to 20.
Beyond financing, recipients undergo six to twelve months of intensive training, covering business management, marketing, and supply chain operations.
Results on the Ground
The results are already striking. According to Fiifi Enchill, Tullow’s Social Performance Manager, most of these small businesses have seen a 188% increase in profitability. “They’re now able to employ more people and expand their ventures. It’s truly remarkable,” he said.
Funds are reinvested in new ventures through a revolving model, monitored closely by Innohub. “With the right tools, these entrepreneurs are creating sustainable businesses that can change lives,” noted Nelson Amo, Innohub’s Executive Director.
Why Oil Meets Agriculture
For Cynthia Lumor, Tullow Ghana’s Deputy Managing Director, the link is clear: “We believe in the potential of young entrepreneurs in agribusiness to make a real contribution to Ghana’s economic growth. Our role is to help them get there, as part of our broader commitment to building a better future through responsible oil and gas development.”
Tullow’s programme reflects a wider global trend of big corporations investing beyond their core industries to strengthen communities and diversify economies. In Ghana, this also addresses pressing challenges like youth unemployment and food security.
Of course, agriculture still faces hurdles — climate change, infrastructure gaps, and market volatility among them. But TAP’s early results show that with targeted, well-managed support, small businesses can thrive and spark lasting change.
For many young entrepreneurs, the promise of agribusiness is no longer just a dream — it’s becoming a reality.
