Kofi Mantey aka Sammie Yams: Transforming Agritech in Ghana
Kofi Mantey, based in Tema, Ghana, is an agritech entrepreneur who combines agriculture with technology to create innovative solutions. His company, Yammie Yams, specializes in yam distribution, delivering directly to households and working with farmers, aggregators, and traders to ensure efficient supply.
In Am Interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Gh Show, he reveled that his business sources yams from northern Ghana, collaborating with farmers and middlemen who aggregate and transport the produce to Tema and Accra.
Without a personal warehouse, Sammie Yams operates on a lean model, using rented spaces to minimize costs. The company also employs women to clean and sort yams for local and international markets.
Mantey started with a $10,000 institutional sponsorship in 2018, initially exploring various commodities like rice, shea nuts, cattle, and poultry before focusing on yams. He emphasizes that yam is a lucrative commodity, with the potential for million-dollar revenue if scaled properly. One shipping container of yams can generate $15,000, and exporting 10 containers monthly can make one an instant millionaire.
Despite the potential, the business faces challenges, including logistical issues, limited investment opportunities, and Ghanaians’ preference for self-funded ventures. Mantey highlights the importance of long-term planning in business, stating that success requires at least 6-10 years of experience.
Mantey believes Ghana has vast untapped opportunities, but many people lack the knowledge or mindset to capitalize on them. He argues that entrepreneurship is a more viable path to wealth than traditional careers like banking or law. According to him, traveling abroad does not guarantee success, as one’s mindset, not location, determines financial growth.
Sammie Yams aims to expand its digital presence by building an online platform. Currently, they operate via social media under the handle Yammie Yams. With a team of 10 core workers and partnerships involving over 300 people—including farmers, traders, and transporters—Mantey envisions agriculture becoming Ghana’s most dominant economic sector.
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