Northshore Apparel Ghana Ltd has partnered with Coats Digital to deploy advanced digital solutions that will power its new smart apparel manufacturing hub in Northern Ghana.
The sustainable manufacturing start-up, backed by both the Ghanaian and German governments, has selected the full suite of Coats Digital’s technology solutions GSDCost, FastReactPlan and FastReactFabric to serve as the digital backbone of its operations.
The facility, currently under development, is expected to become Northern Ghana’s first major apparel manufacturing hub. Built on more than 50 acres of reclaimed land that was once used as a refuse dump, the project aims to transform the area into a modern, zero-waste garment production centre capable of serving global fashion brands.
Northshore Apparel plans to specialise in both knitted and woven garments, producing items such as T-shirts, polo shirts, fleece hoodies, children’s clothing, sportswear, underwear, leggings and trousers.
According to the company, the project forms part of a broader initiative to tackle unemployment in Northern Ghana, reduce internal migration to the southern parts of the country and discourage unsafe migration routes to Europe by creating stable and dignified employment opportunities.
Nurideen Mohammed, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Northshore Apparel Ghana Ltd, said the company’s vision goes beyond establishing a factory.
“From the beginning, our ambition was to build far more than a factory. We wanted to create a regenerative manufacturing ecosystem that delivers dignity, opportunity and long-term prosperity for Northern Ghana,” he said.
He explained that digitalisation was a central consideration from the start of the project.
“We were looking for an integrated solution that would give us control over our most critical cost drivers labour, fabric and delivery performance while allowing us to operate proactively rather than reactively. After reviewing several technology providers, our team unanimously chose Coats Digital because of its industry expertise and the strength of its integrated solutions,” he added.
The manufacturing campus is designed to support more than 2,000 trained employees at launch, with the potential to impact thousands more livelihoods in surrounding communities.
Beyond employment, the facility will offer a range of worker welfare benefits including fair wages, free daily meals and on-site medical services. It will also include a creche for nursing mothers, prayer rooms and safe changing facilities. A training academy will help equip young people and women with skills needed in modern apparel manufacturing.
Sustainability is also a key feature of the project. The factory plans to operate under a zero-waste model using anaerobic biodigesters to convert solid waste into energy. Water recycling systems will support irrigation, while solar power generation will provide additional clean energy for the facility.
Located within West Africa’s cotton belt, the factory is strategically positioned to support shorter and more resilient supply chains while meeting the transparency and efficiency demands of global fashion brands.
Through the integrated Coats Digital platform, Northshore Apparel expects to achieve accurate garment costing, improved production planning and more efficient fabric usage. The system will also allow real-time decision-making across departments, helping the factory manage costs, reduce waste and maintain reliable delivery schedules.
Mohammed noted that investing in the digital platform will help the company maintain fair labour standards while remaining competitive in the global apparel industry.
“Just as importantly, it gives us the transparency and accuracy we need to ensure fair wages, build trust with customers and compete confidently in a fast-moving global market,” he said.
Managing Director of Coats Digital, Himanshu Mehrotra, described the partnership as an example of how technology can support both business efficiency and social impact.
“Northshore Apparel represents a bold new model for apparel manufacturing where technology, sustainability and social impact are built in from the start,” he said, adding that the integrated digital ecosystem will help ensure operational excellence and long-term growth.
Northshore Apparel has already begun training 2,000 workers ahead of the facility’s launch in January 2026. The company plans to recruit an additional 1,000 employees by April 2026 and hopes to expand its workforce to about 10,000 local workers by the end of the year.
The project is expected to become a major milestone in Ghana’s efforts to grow its textile and garment manufacturing sector while creating jobs and promoting sustainable industrial development in the northern part of the country.
Source: FIBRE2FASHION
