Business opportunities for Ghana and the EU

Dear Business Leaders, Esteemed Guests, and Partners,

On behalf of the European Union, it gives me immense pleasure to extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to all of you attending the 3rd Ghana-EU Business Forum. It is truly inspiring to see such an enterprising gathering of minds here in Accra.

This forum marks another significant milestone in the enduring, deepening, and dynamic partnership between the European Union and Ghana. Just a year ago, many of us had the opportunity to connect at the second edition, building upon the foundation laid by the first forum in 2019. This timeline itself speaks volumes about our shared commitment to cooperation, fostering common prosperity for our state authorities, our people, and especially our vibrant business communities.

On behalf of the European Union, it gives me immense pleasure to extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to all of you attending the 3rd Ghana-EU Business Forum. It is truly inspiring to see such an enterprising gathering of minds here in Accra.

This forum marks another significant milestone in the enduring, deepening, and dynamic partnership between the European Union and Ghana. Just a year ago, many of us had the opportunity to connect at the second edition, building upon the foundation laid by the first forum in 2019. This timeline itself speaks volumes about our shared commitment to cooperation, fostering common prosperity for our state authorities, our people, and especially our vibrant business communities.

As we convene today, we reflect on the remarkable strides Ghana has made in its economic recovery following the challenges of 2022. The optimistic outlook for Ghana today is a testament to its consolidated democratic credentials and the bold decisions undertaken by the new authorities. Our trade and investment partnership has undoubtedly played a crucial role in this progress. The more than doubling of Foreign Direct Investment Stock from 2016 to reach EUR 4 billion in 2023 fills us with confidence that this positive trend continues.

Over the next two days, we have a rich agenda ahead of us, focused on key areas that will drive our partnership forward. We will discuss Europe’s Global Gateway investments in the country. We will delve into enhancing sustainable trade and investment, with a particular emphasis on sectors such as sustainable agriculture, infrastructure, and the crucial transition towards a green and digital economy. These discussions will be underpinned by our shared commitment to creating an inclusive environment for private sector development.

I am particularly excited about the opportunities presented by initiatives like the “Ghana Employment and Private Sector Development” programme, the “BETTER programme,” and the extension of the Team Europe initiative ‘Investing in Young Businesses in Africa’ (IYBA) to Ghana. Launched in 2021, IYBA aims to empower early-stage businesses and young entrepreneurs, especially women, by facilitating access to financial and technical support, ultimately leading to the creation of decent jobs. The upcoming launch of two new regional programmes will further benefit Ghanaian entrepreneurs and investors.

I wish us all a successful and productive forum.

Thank you for your presence and your commitment to this important collaboration.

Sincerely,

 Mrs. Myriam Ferran Deputy

Director General, International Partnerships European Commission

H. E. Irchad Razaaly

Ambassador of the European Union to Ghana

Goodwill message for the 3rd Ghana – EU Business Forum

May 20th, 2025

The Ghana – EU Business Forum is a highlight for the European Union as it serves as a vehicle to realize the EU Global Gateway. Under our Global Gateway policy, the EU and Member States have invested over €800 million — about 13 billion Ghanaian cedis — in large-scale infrastructure, notably in the energy, health and transport sectors.

The theme of this year’s Ghana – EU Business Forum speaks for itself: ‘Deepening Ghana – EU Cooperation on trade and investment in non-traditional value chains under the EU Global Gateway Strategy’. This theme 5confirms our commitment to Ghana—a commitment that stands strong through decades of deepening partnership.

In Ghana, the European Union works in a Team Europe spirit, mobilizing the full force of the European Union, Member States and institutions, including financial institutions. Team Europe offers an elaborate network of connections and funding that harness faster GDP growth and private sector development in Ghana.

The Ghana – EU Business Forum is a vibrant convergence of vision, ambition, and actionable partnerships, embodying the spirit of the Global Gateway Strategy in real time. Today, we celebrate together with the Private Sector operators from both Ghana and the EU who are here to look for opportunities, to learn more about priority sectors, to find business connections, find investors, and—above all—to strike deals.

The Ghana – EU Business Forum results from months of dedicated preparation behind the scenes, working hand-in-hand with the Government of Ghana. To our partners in the Ghanaian government, I extend my wholehearted thanks for your unwavering commitment and visionary leadership.

I am incredibly proud to present the Ghana – EU Business Forum 2025 to you, especially as I will be leaving Ghana later this year to a new post. However, I will forever carry within me this beautiful partnership and its fruits. To all participants here today: I warmly welcome you to the Ghana-EU Business Forum and sincerely hope you enjoy this dynamic platform. May it unlock opportunities, spark partnerships, and deliver lasting benefits for each of you—whether you are here to invest, innovate, or learn.

Goodwill Message
Nicolas Gebara, CEO, EuroCham Ghana
Ghana-EU Business Forum 2025

On behalf of the European Chamber of Commerce in Ghana (EuroCham), I extend heartfelt greetings to all participants of the 2025 Ghana-EU Business Forum.

This Forum arrives at a moment of great significance—an opportunity to not only strengthen the enduring partnership between Ghana and the European Union but also to embrace the shared vision of sustainable growth and innovation. Through the Economic Partnership Agreement and the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, we are forging a path toward mutual prosperity, one that weaves together our common values and aspirations for a brighter future.

The focus on agribusiness, pharmaceuticals and health, and renewable energy is a reflection of both the EU-Ghana cooperation's strategic priorities and the promising vision of Ghana’s new government. It’s an exciting time, as we seek to drive industrial diversification, build resilience in our healthcare systems, and champion the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape.

At EuroCham, we are deeply committed to supporting European businesses in seizing these invaluable opportunities, and we look forward to working hand in hand with Ghanaian partners. Together, we can overcome challenges, spark innovation, and build a future that is inclusive, resilient, and prosperous for all.

We are incredibly proud to be part of this transformative journey, and we wish all participants a successful and truly impactful Forum. Let’s continue to work together and shape the future we all aspire to.

Goodwill Message from the President
Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI)
On the Occasion of the Ghana–EU Business Forum
Theme: “Deepening Ghana–EU Cooperation on Trade and Investment in Non-Traditional Value Chains under the EU Global Gateway Strategy”

It is my privilege, on behalf of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), to extend warm goodwill to all dignitaries, development partners, business leaders, and stakeholders participating in the 3rd Ghana–EU Business Forum.

This year’s theme, “Deepening Ghana–EU Cooperation on Trade and Investment in Non-Traditional Value Chains under the EU Global Gateway Strategy,” is both timely and forward-looking. It reflects a shared commitment to diversifying economic engagement beyond traditional exports into high-value, non-traditional sectors that are critical for sustainable development, inclusive growth, and industrial transformation.

At the GNCCI, we firmly believe that strong partnerships between Ghanaian and European enterprises—anchored in innovation, technology transfer, and market access—are key to unlocking opportunities across value chains such as agribusiness, light manufacturing, renewable energy, digital services, and the green economy. These sectors hold immense potential to drive SME growth, job creation, and long-term competitiveness.

As the Chamber intensifies its focus on inclusive growth, we are proud to be prioritising women and youth through initiatives such as the GNCCI Women and Youth Wing (GNCCI WAY) and the Junior Chambers Programme. In this regard, we are particularly excited about the prospects this Forum holds for the empowerment and advancement of young people and women-led enterprises, especially within the emerging sectors highlighted under the Global Gateway Strategy.

We are also pleased that this Forum spotlights the renewable energy, pharmaceutical/vaccine, and agribusiness sectors—areas where Ghana and the EU can co-create innovative, high-impact solutions. With the right mix of policy support, private capital, and technology, we are confident that our partnership will stimulate inclusive economic growth, high-quality employment, and stronger intra-regional trade.

Let us seize this opportunity to strengthen synergies, showcase Ghanaian innovation, and forge transformative partnerships that will elevate Ghana–EU trade and investment cooperation to greater heights.

We commend the organisers and all supporting partners of this important Forum for providing a strategic platform to deepen bilateral and multilateral commercial relations. May the outcomes of this engagement translate into bold actions and lasting partnerships that deliver shared prosperity.

We wish all participants a fruitful and impactful Forum.

Stephane Miezan
President
Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI)