The Mohinani Group is one of Ghana’s best-known family-owned business groups. Its activities cut across manufacturing, plastics, packaging, electronics, retail, motorbikes, chemicals, restaurants and real estate.
The group’s roots in Ghana date back to the 1950s, when Ramchand Udharam Mohinani moved to the country from India. The family later built a business network that expanded from trading into local manufacturing and distribution.
According to the Mohinani Group, the business was formally established in 1966. It has since developed into a multinational group with operations in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya, as well as international trading and service offices in Dubai, Hong Kong, London and Mumbai.
Poly Products and the beginning of manufacturing
One of the group’s earliest major businesses was Poly Products Ghana Limited. The company is described by the Mohinani Group as Ghana’s first polyethylene factory.
The factory was created to support Ghana’s packaging and processing industries. It became the foundation for the group’s later expansion into plastics and packaging.
In 1976, the group established Poly Sacks Ghana Limited. The company produced polypropylene packaging used by the agricultural and agro-processing sectors.
The group later added Poly Kraft Ghana and Polytank Ghana. These businesses expanded into flexible and rigid plastic products, water-storage tanks, bottles and other packaging materials.
Polytank Ghana
Polytank Ghana became one of the most recognisable names connected to the Mohinani Group. Its products include plastic water-storage tanks and other storage and packaging solutions.
According to the company’s official business-unit profile, Polytank has operated in the packaging sector for more than 50 years. Its brand became associated with household, commercial and industrial water storage across Ghana.
The group’s bottles division also produces rigid plastic packaging for major companies and smaller businesses. The Mohinani Group says its clients include Coca-Cola, SBC Pepsi, Diageo, Unilever, Shell/Vivo and Total Petroleum.
The packaging businesses serve sectors such as food and beverages, personal care, pharmaceuticals, fishing, petroleum and household products.
Somotex and consumer electronics
The Mohinani Group entered consumer electronics and home appliances through Somotex Ghana Limited, established in 1986.
Somotex distributes and markets electronic appliances, air conditioners, home equipment and other consumer products. The company represents brands including LG, Panasonic, Philips, Bruhm, Orient, Toyo, MRF and Cougar.
The group also created Somovision, which later developed into Electromart. Electromart is now a major multi-brand electronics retail business in Ghana.
According to Electromart’s official company profile, the retailer operates 26 showrooms and sells products from brands such as Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, TCL, Infinix, Xiaomi, Tecno, HP, Dell and Lenovo.
The retail business also provides after-sales services through service centres in several regions.
Somoco Ghana and motorbikes
The group is also involved in the automotive and mobility sector through Somoco Ghana Limited.
Somoco works with Bajaj Auto and introduced Boxer motorbikes to the Ghanaian market in 2013. The partnership was designed to meet demand for affordable personal transportation and commercial motorbike use.
The business includes the distribution and support of Bajaj motorcycles and related mobility products.
Somochem and industrial materials
Another important part of the group is Somochem Ghana Limited, which operates in the polymers and chemicals sector.
Somochem distributes raw materials used in plastics, packaging, soap and detergents, cosmetics, edible oils, food production and other manufacturing industries.
The wider Somochem operation also has international trading activities serving manufacturers across Sub-Saharan Africa and other markets.
Masco Foods and KFC Ghana
The Mohinani Group entered the restaurant business through Masco Foods Limited.
Masco Foods holds the exclusive franchise for KFC in Ghana. According to the Mohinani Group, the first KFC restaurants opened in Ghana in 2011, beginning with a branch at Osu in Accra.
KFC Ghana has since become one of the country’s most visible international fast-food brands, with restaurants serving chicken meals, burgers, fries and other products.
The business placed the Mohinani Group in Ghana’s hospitality and quick-service restaurant industry.
Real estate and hospitality
The group also expanded into real estate through South West Estates and Tourism Ghana Limited.
Its first major residential development was Arabella Residency at Cantonments in Accra. The company later became involved in other property and hospitality-related projects.
The group has also developed Alliance Estates as a construction and property-related business. Its wider plans have included hotel development and serviced accommodation.
Recycling and new industries
In recent years, the Mohinani Group has placed greater emphasis on recycling and sustainability.
The group says it is working on rPET plants in Ghana and Nigeria. rPET is recycled polyethylene terephthalate used in bottle-to-bottle manufacturing.
This investment reflects growing pressure on companies to reduce plastic waste and support a circular economy.
A diversified family enterprise
The strength of the Mohinani Group lies in its diversification. Its packaging companies supply manufacturers, its electronics businesses serve households, Somoco supports transportation, Masco Foods operates restaurants, and its real-estate companies serve residential and hospitality markets.
The group says it employs more than 5,000 people across its wider operations.
From the first polyethylene factory in 1966 to Polytank, Electromart, Somoco, Somochem, KFC Ghana and Arabella Estates, the Mohinani family has built businesses that touch many parts of everyday life in Ghana.
Sources:
Mohinani Group’s official website; Mohinani Group’s official business-unit profiles; MyJoyOnline; BusinessGhana; Ghana Business Awards materials; and the Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries report on food value chains in Ghana.
