Exploring Ghana’s Business Markets
Date:Monday 20 – Friday 25 May 2019
Closing Date for expressions of interest:03 May 2019
The AFFORD Business Club (The ABC) are organising a scoping visit to Ghana for companies interested in exploring three key sectors in Ghana.
- Creative Industries (Textiles and Fashion)- Agriculture (Food Processing)- Manufacturing (One District One Factory)
Delegates will have the opportunity to meet companies, institutional and government representatives to gain a unique insight into Ghana’s business opportunities.
Why Ghana?
With a population of approximately 28.83 million people, multi-party democracy and the focus and drive to be the Gateway to Africa Ghana offers exciting opportunities for investors and businesses interested in Africa. The capital of Ghana, Accra has a population of 2.27 million people and is a central hub of activity. However interest and business growth can also be seen in other cities in Ghana including Kumasi, Takoradi, Tema and Tamale.
Creative Industries
Textile manufacturing in Ghana is an industry consisting of ginneries and textile mills producing batik, wax cloth, and Kente cloth. The industry has shown signs of significant growth in recent years, promoting high-quality traditionally designed fabrics as "Made in Ghana" to niche markets, especially the US.The government has initiated various policies aimed at restructuring and improving the textiles industry. The objectives include:• Increase of employment opportunities for the growing population• Expansion and diversification of the economy• Promotion of both domestic and foreign investment                                                                                                                                              (From GIPC website)
The mission will also explore the retail fashion market also.
Agriculture
Ghana has a wide range of agro-products that are currently exported in their raw form. Opportunities therefore exist in the agro-food processing sector for manufacturing industries to add value to local agricultural products e.g. cocoa, cashew, tropical fruits and vegetables. With the emphasis shifting from raw exports to processed exports, the investment opportunities are endless.
The food processing industry plays a major role in Ghana’s economy. Currently, food processing in Ghana is done by medium scale enterprises. Over the years, the Government of Ghana has implemented policies that add value to Ghana’s raw agricultural products (e.g. cocoa, cotton, oil palm, etc.). In recent times, intensive efforts have been made by government to process some of these products; for example, volume of cocoa beans processed locally has doubled in the last decade. There are supportive policies and opportunities for small medium enterprises interested in this sector.                         
                                                                                                               (From GIPC website)Manufacturing Manufacturing is a key focus for Ghana and this mission will be exploring the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative and seeing the opportunities available. The manufacturing industry in Ghana accounts for about 25.3% of total GDP. However, Ghana's industrial production is rising at a 7.8% rate, giving it the 38th fastest growing industrial production in the world due to government industrialization policies.The One District One Factory initiative, otherwise known as district enterprises, is to establish medium-to-large-scale factories or industrial enterprises that have the potential to fundamentally affect the economy of the districts. Among other things, the district enterprise is aimed at supporting existing companies, while creating new ones to create employment, as well as add value to the country’s natural resource base.                                                                                                                                               (From GIPC website)
Benefits of joining this company visit- Pre-visit and in-country briefings providing market information and advice on how to do business in the sectors we will be focusing on.- Presentations by business and government representatives- A programme of meetings with sector relevant businesses and institutions- Travelling with other entrepreneurs with similar focus and experience
The Cost
• Participation fee is £800
Travel Arrangements and SubsidiesThis company visit is part of AFFORD’s work in supporting African Diaspora entrepreneurs with an interest in investing in Ghana. Travel and accommodation is subsidised. There are limited spaces for this Trade Mission so please get in touch to confirm your interest.
EligibilityThere is an eligibility questionnaire to complete following expressions of interest as this mission is for established businesses with a view to scale or/ and explore new markets.
How to applyPlease send an email to Elvina@afford-uk.org
For more information
For more information please contact the Mission Manager Elvina Quaison E: elvina@afford-uk.org T: +44 203 326 3750
Sector information Links
https://www.afdb.org/en/blogs/investing-in-gender-equality-for-africas-transformation/post/fashion-and-textile-industries-can-grow-african-economies-15837/http://www.gipcghana.com/invest-in-ghana/sectors/textiles-garmenthttp://www.gipcghana.com/invest-in-ghana/sectors/food-processing.htmlhttps://www.theigc.org/project/guidance-one-district-one-factory/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manufacturing_in_Ghana