As Ghana joins the rest of the world in celebrating International Beer Day, it is evident that beer is doing far more than just filling glasses. It is a significant driver of economic activity, a source of public revenue, and a catalyst for job creation, sustaining tens of thousands of livelihoods across the country with 158,400 direct jobs and 40,600 indirect jobs, as of 2019 according to Oxford Economics.
According to data from Oxford Economics’ Ghana beer footprint study, the sector had contributed $369.2 million to the country’s GDP in 2023, representing 0.5% of the national economy and 1% of Accra’s total economic output. More than 52,000 jobs were supported directly and indirectly by the industry, accounting for 0.4% of national employment and 2% of all jobs in the capital city. This makes beer one of the country’s more prominent economic driver, operating across farming, manufacturing, logistics, retail and hospitality.
“Beer is more than a beverage, it is an economic engine within the country and these figures reflect a value chain that stretches from rural fields to urban storefronts, and from smallholder farmers to large-scale logistics networks.,” says Diaan Kruger, Country Director at Accra Brewery PLC (ABL). “Every bottle or can of beer represents far more than a consumer product. Every sip tells the story of a farmer, a retailer, and the entire value chain behind it. Beer builds connections, but it also builds economies.”
The industry begins with Ghanaian farmers cultivating crops such as maize and cassava. These ingredients are then transformed by teams of brewers, engineers and technicians into finished products. From there, beer moves through a complex national distribution network that includes wholesalers, informal enterprises, retailers, bar owners and hospitality workers. In both urban and rural Ghana, these businesses depend on sales to sustain operations, pay staff and serve their communities.
Accra Brewery’s GRIT initiative has played a pivotal role in deepening this impact. Through targeted training and market support, more than 5,000 small-scale retailers and farmers have increased their productivity, secured better routes to market and grown their businesses. These informal enterprises act as economic shock absorbers, often providing individuals and families with their first step toward financial independence. Their success directly strengthens community resilience and local economies.
Future priorities include increasing the locally sourced ingredients to retain more value within farming communities, supporting the growth of township and rural businesses through training and finance, and scaling sustainable brewing technologies that reduce emissions and production costs.
Furthermore, the fiscal benefits of the sector are equally significant as the Oxford Economics report highlights that the beer industry generated $153.4 million in tax revenues, accounting for approximately 1.3% of total government income. These funds, collected through excise duties, VAT and corporate taxes, help finance public services and support local infrastructure development. In the context of a developing country, the private sector plays a meaningful role in supporting public institutions and contributing to the long-term growth and resilience of local communities. ABL runs nationwide consumer awareness campaigns to promote responsible drinking. It has also made significant investments in water conservation, energy efficiency and recycling systems to reduce its environmental footprint and ensure the future of brewing remains resilient and resource smart. On International Beer Day, raising a glass in Ghana represents more than a celebration of taste or tradition. It is a moment to acknowledge the many hands behind every pour—from farmers to our value chain, our distributors, our retailers and our entrepreneurs. It also serves as a call to continue investing in communities and strengthening collaboration with both public and private sector stakeholders—ensuring that the beer economy, and the people and partnerships behind it, remain a driving force for national progress.
