Mahama woos EU investors for opportunities in high-growth value chains
By Joshua Worlasi AMLANU
President John Dramani Mahama has urged European investors to prioritise investment in high-growth sectors of the Ghanaian economy, positioning the country as a strategic hub for inclusive development under the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy.
Speaking at the 3rd Ghana-EU Business Forum in Accra, Mr. Mahama called for renewed partnerships to drive innovation, industrialisation and job creation, particularly in non-traditional sectors such as agribusiness, healthcare and energy.
The forum, held under the theme ‘Fostering Investment in High-Growth Potential Value Chains under the EU Global Gateway Strategy’, served as a platform to deepen economic ties between Ghana and the European Union, aligning Ghana’s ‘BIG PUSH’ development agenda with the EU’s vision of green and inclusive growth.
President Mahama noted that Ghana is primed for innovation-led investment, citing the country’s youthful population and untapped industrial potential.
“Ghana is ripe for innovation. When we prioritise investments in non-traditional sectors, we harness the talent of our youth, create jobs and build resilience against global economic shocks,” the president said.
He stressed that sustainable investment in value chains will ensure economic growth delivers benefits across the population.
The EU responded with a series of new investment pledges. One of the flagship announcements was a €19.5million programme dubbed BETTER FARMING, aimed at accelerating sustainable agriculture in northern Ghana.
Co-funded by France and implemented by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the project will support value chains such as shea, soya, vegetables and beekeeping – sectors seen as crucial to rural livelihoods and climate resilience.
Complementing that initiative is a €17.3million programme for Green, Digital and Inclusive Private Sector Development, jointly funded by France and the Netherlands.
With implementation support from RVO, Expertise France and UNCDF, this initiative will back businesses in the creative, health and agritech sectors, with a strong focus on underserved regions such as Tamale.
The EU also announced its rollout of the ‘Investing in Young Businesses in Africa’ (IYBA) initiative, committing €4billion across nine sub-Saharan African countries including Ghana.
The fund is expected to support startups led by youth and women through financing and technical assistance, reflecting a broader EU goal of promoting entrepreneurship as a driver of growth.
In addition, the AgriFI Ghana Country Window – a €2.23million loan facility backed by the EU and EDFI Management Company – will strengthen agricultural value chains by establishing six fulfillment centres and expanding digital agritech platforms run by local firm Complete Farmer.
Myriam Ferran, EU Deputy Director-General for International Partnerships, reaffirmed Europe’s commitment to Ghana – stating that the EU sees potential for deepened cooperation, not just in trade and investment but also in shared values and development goals.
“We believe in Ghana, not only economically but also in our broader partnership for global progress,” she said.
The forum brought together European diplomats, investors and Ghanaian business leaders to map out actionable strategies for bilateral trade. According to Mahama, Ghana recorded €6billion in trade revenue and €4billion of EU foreign direct investment in 2023.
However, he argued the real promise lies in shifting from raw exports to production, technology transfer and sustainable industrial agriculture.
As the two partners look to the future, President Mahama said Ghana’s economic transformation will depend on leveraging EU expertise and investment to build competitive value chains that can thrive globally.
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