Growing more than mushrooms; a KIC-funded business creating jobs and empowering women – Nsemkeka

Growing more than mushrooms; a KIC-funded business creating jobs and empowering women – Nsemkeka

Located in the Northern Region of Ghana, DeliMush is cultivating more than just gourmet mushrooms, it is cultivating opportunity, sustainability, and empowerment.

As a KIC-funded business, DeliMush is transforming the mushroom value chain into a source of income and independence for women and youth in the Northern Region of Ghana.

DeliMush processes fresh, locally grown mushrooms into a variety of nutritious, plant-based products that appeal to health-conscious consumers. Mushrooms in tomato, pepper and onion sauce. But behind the products is a deeper mission.

“At DeliMush, we’re not just processing mushrooms, we’re preserving livelihoods, promoting wellness, and proving that sustainable, plant-based innovation can start right at the farm gate. Our goal is to nourish people and empower smallholder mushroom farmers,” said Aisha Abdallah, Co-founder, DeliMush.

With support from the Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) and Mastercard Foundation, DeliMush has expanded its operations to include training programs for women, equipping them with skills in mushroom cultivation, packaging, and entrepreneurship.

These programs are designed to give rural women a sustainable income stream while contributing to local food security and environmental health.

Many of the women trained through DeliMush have gone on to establish their own mini mushroom farms, joining a growing network of smallholder producers who now have access to reliable markets through DeliMush’s supply chain. The ripple effect is a stronger, more inclusive local economy.

Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director of KIC, highlighted the importance of businesses like DeliMush in the impact of driving grassroots: “When we invest in businesses that are rooted in community needs, the results are transformational. DeliMush is proof that sustainability and innovation can uplift entire communities.”

Through its eco-friendly approach and strong social mission, DeliMush is contributing to a future where agribusiness is not only profitable but also people-focused. As it continues to grow, so does its impact—creating jobs, inspiring entrepreneurs, and ensuring that no opportunity is wasted in the mushroom value chain.

Through its partnership with the Mastercard Foundation under the Initiative for Youth in Agricultural Transformation (IYAT) Program, KIC continues to empower young entrepreneurs, providing them with employment opportunities.