Business opportunities for Ghana and the EU
20 May 2025 - 21 May 2025|
Accra, Ghana
I Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City
Plenary session 1: EU-Ghana trade & investment partnership
TUESDAY 20th MAY, 2025, 09:30am-11am
Strengthening the Ghana-EU Trade and Investment Partnership in the context of the New Government’s objectives
The objective of this panel is to explore how Ghana’s economic reset, under the new government’s manifesto, presents opportunities for strengthening the trade and investment partnership between Ghana and the EU. The panel will examine the impact of key agreements such as the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on trade and investment flows. It will also focus on how agreements on investment , like the Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement (SIFA), can help build investor confidence, attract foreign direct investment, and align with Africa's unique economic context. The panel aims to identify emerging sectors with potential for deeper EU-Africa trade and investment, emphasising comparative advantages, sustainable development, and mutually beneficial collaborations.
Sectoral session 1: Agribusiness Sector
TUESDAY 20th MAY, 2025, 11:15am-12:30pm
Boosting business opportunities in agriculture
Ghana’s agribusiness sector is brimming with untapped potential. Ghana’s push for agricultural modernization presents significant opportunities for European companies specializing in irrigation systems, mechanization, and agricultural technology. At the same time, regulatory clarity and efficient implementation will be essential to attract sustained investments.
Sectoral session 2: Pharmaceutical & Vaccines sector
TUESDAY 20th MAY, 2025, 2:30pm-4pm
EU supports manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies in Ghana
Under the EU Global Gateway strategy, pharmaceuticals and vaccines are priority sectors for EU investments. The pharmaceutical industry is one of Ghana’s strategic anchor industries and can be a potent driver for economic transformation. At the GHEUBF last year, the EU launched the Ghana Component of the ‘Special Measure’ Team Europe initiative on manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies in Africa (MAV+). On Ghana’s side, a new policy for the pharmaceutical sector has been under development, a vital component of which could be an incentive regime. With Ghana’s increased ambitions but also capabilities (cf. recent FDA upgrade, now being able to test vaccines) to produce high-quality medicines and embarking on vaccine production, there are currently many opportunities for EU business to engage and invest in this sector in. This will not only increase access to essential drugs and vaccines, but also create more decent jobs and generate greater domestic revenues.
Sectoral session 3: Accelerating E-Mobility in Ghana Private Sector Innovation, Investment, and Partnerships for a Greener Future
TUESDAY 20th MAY, 2025, 2:30-4pm
Panel on E-Mobility Development in Ghana
The development of e-mobility in Ghana presents an exciting opportunity to modernise transportation infrastructure, reduce emissions, and foster sustainable economic growth. However, for e-mobility to thrive, it is crucial to establish a clear regulatory framework, invest in charging infrastructure, and involve the private sector in driving innovation.
This panel discussion will focus on exploring how the private sector can play a pivotal role in the development and growth of the e-mobility sector in Ghana. Discussions will cover regulatory challenges, the importance of infrastructure, financing, and the role of technology and innovation in shaping the future of e-mobility
Pitching event for energy companies
TUESDAY 20th MAY, 2025, 4:30pm-5:30pm
Meet the Energy Companies & Projects
GET.invest proposes pitching concept for the event's energy stakeholders: “Meet the Energy Companies & Projects”.
Main objectives:
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Provide a platform for pre-selected investment seeking and/or ready companies and projects to pitch to relevant stakeholders (local and international financiers, development partners, government representatives, business partners, etc) and raise capital.
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Develop a pipeline of promising investment projects for national and international financiers´ intake, hence contributing to the Global Gateway and EFSD+ strategies.
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Facilitate meaningful and targeted connections by promoting European businesses, technology, expertise/know-how and venture opportunities with Ghanaian private sector.
Format: The session will be open to the public and take place in a plenary format. Pitching companies
Plenary session 2: Fostering collaboration between Ghanaian and European entrepreneurial ecosystems – increasing investments in youth businesses in Ghana under the EU Global Gateway Strategy
Wednesday 21th MAY 2025, 09:30am-10:45am
Investing in young businesses in Ghana under the EU Global Gateway Strategy - Ghana window and Green, Digital and Inclusive Private Sector Development
This plenary session is organized in collaboration with the Team Europe Initiative “Investing in Young Businesses in Africa” (TEI IYBA) and the EABF Facility.
This plenary session brings together entrepreneurs from early- to mid-stage businesses and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across various sectors, alongside local and regional ecosystem stakeholders such as private investors, European development partners, finance institutions and Entrepreneurial support organisations (ESOs) – to explore strategies for fostering collaboration between Ghanaian and European entrepreneurial ecosystems.
The overall objective is to find pathways and practical strategies to support the needs and overcome critical challenges faced by Ghanaian entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses. How can local, regional and European ecosystem stakeholders can contribute to creating a vibrant environment that nurtures innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity by leveraging Ghana's rich human capital, natural resources, and strategic location? How can we foster investments in youth businesses in Ghana under the EU Global Gateway Strategy? How to unlock new markets and funding opportunities? In the end, how can African and European stakeholders and partners support Ghana to become the leading entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem on the continent? The role of policy makers and the government entities supporting entrepreneurs and setting the stage for an enabling environment for entrepreneurs will be discussed.
Break-out session 1 : Opportunity Driven VET - Team Europe Initiative
Wednesday 21th MAY 2025, 11am-11:45am
TEI OP-VET: Unlocking the potential of skills development to support investments in Africa
The main objective for the TEI OP-VET input at the GHEUBF 2025 is to present the programme to the audience, increase its visibility and connect with the private sector (PS) representatives present at the event, with a focus on agribusiness, pharmaceutical/health and energy. Through these connections, TEI OP-VET aims to stimulate exchange among the industry representatives and VET actors about the potential employment opportunities, skills gap and challenges within the targeted value chains and to, by integrating the OP-VET approach into the sectoral investment discussions. In addition, TEI OP-VET will use the opportunity to promote the TEI OP-VET and its services to the event participants.
The TEI OP-VET team will host a virtual session in order to present the programme, its services and trademark approach as well as its set-up in a Team Europe approach. The presentation will focus on the possible benefits and interests of stakeholders, particularly from the private sector, to engage with the TEI OP-VET.
The regional Team Europe Initiative Opportunity-driven Skills and Vocational Education and Training in Africa (TEI OP-VET) is a five-year programme (2024-2029), officially launched in April 2024 during the Global Gateway High-Level Event on Education in Brussels. Employment is the leading perspective of the programme. By orienting VET and skills development towards concrete and decent employment opportunities arising from investments and related value chain developments, the programme addresses the skills dimension as integral component and enabler of investments under the Global Gateway. The programme is funded by the European Commission (€ 75 million) and Germany (BMZ) (€ 1.5 million) and is jointly implemented in a Team Europe approach by EDUFI, Enabel, Expertise France and GIZ.
The programme is structured around 3 pillars:
1. Request-based Technical Assistance (TA) Facility: Support EUDs, EIB/EBRD, EU MS and their partners, including the private sector, to better (re)orient sector-specific or skills/VET interventions towards concrete employment opportunities, aligned with investment initiatives linked to Global Gateway priority areas in SSA.
2. Regional exchanges on Public-Private-Partnerships: Increase exchange between the private sector, VET providers and the public sector on partnerships for opportunity-driven VET and skills development across Global Gateway priority areas in SSA.
3. Competitive Funding mechanism and facilitation of grant implementation: Support opportunity-driven VET and skills projects in selected Global Gateway priority areas and related value chains in SSA fostering partnerships between private sector actors, VET providers and the public sector.
Activities under the TEI OP-VET will apply a gender-responsive lens and address marginalized groups for an inclusive and comprehensive approach to VET and skills development.
Break-out session 3: AFRICO Business Engagement
Wednesday 21th MAY 2025, 11:50am-1pm
How to get more companies involved in international projects in West Africa
The Ibero-African Association of Chambers of Commerce (AFRICO) was founded in 2024 by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and FEWACCI -representing the 12 national Chambers of Commerce of ECOWAS- to strengthen economic cooperation, trade, and investment between Spain, Portugal, and West Africa. Officially endorsed by the Spanish government, AFRICO leverages the extensive capillarity of its chamber network to facilitate structured dialogue between private companies and public institutions, providing European businesses -especially SMEs- with direct access to strategic contacts, market intelligence, and tangible business opportunities.
At the Ghana-EU Business Forum 2025, AFRICO will host a high-level roundtable bringing together key European and Ghanaian stakeholders to identify practical strategies for increasing private sector engagement in West African markets. The session will explore major challenges such as informational gaps and regulatory hurdles, while emphasising the essential role that chambers of commerce play as strategic enablers. AFRICO aims to equip companies with actionable guidance, effective market-entry tools, clear pathways to funding, and support in building long-term and sustainable commercial partnerships.
JOIN BUSINESS SPEED DATING ACTIVITIES
Jointly organised by IYBA & EABF & EU Delegation to Ghana
Wednesday 21th MAY 2025, 11am-11:45am
Investing in Young Businesses in Africa
As part of the Ghana-EU Business Forum, which will bring together around 400+ participants, Business Speed Dating session are proposed to create high-impact networking opportunities between SMEs (early stage/startups or medium size companies) from the Agribusiness, Energy, Pharmaceutical and other sectors, and financing institutions. Jointly organised by Investing in Young Businesses in Africa (IYBA)and EU-Africa Business Forum (EABF), this dynamic format will support investment matchmaking and meaningful business connections.
How It Works
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Participants engage in a series of brief one-on-one meetings (5–10 minutes each) using a structured rotation system.
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One group remains seated while the other rotates; a timer or bell signals the switch.
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Pre-matching based on business interests ensures relevant and productive meetings.
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An estimated 30 curated participants will be involved.
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Each selected participant will take part in 4 to 5 focused meetings within the session.
Participants
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Early-stage African SMEs or medium size companies (depending on the interest) from the Agribusiness, Energy and Pharmaceutical sectors, seeking investment and scaling support
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Financing institutions, including banks and investment funds