The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) has inaugurated the Ghana Trade House in Philadelphia, establishing Ghana’s first dedicated commercial hub on the United States East Coast as part of efforts to boost exports, attract investment and deepen trade relations with the U.S.
The facility is the latest addition to Ghana’s growing network of overseas Trade Houses, following similar centres opened in Kenya in 2023 and London in March 2026.
The initiative forms part of GEPA’s strategy to strengthen Ghana’s commercial presence in key international markets while providing structured support for exporters seeking new business opportunities.
Officially opened on the sidelines of the Invest Ghana Business Forum and Exhibition in the United States, the Trade House was jointly launched by GEPA, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) and the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank.
The Philadelphia centre is expected to serve as a one-stop commercial and export facilitation hub, offering Ghanaian businesses access to market intelligence, trade advisory services, export matchmaking, product promotion, investment support, regulatory guidance on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and export financing through Ghana EXIM Bank.
Beyond supporting trade, the Trade House is also expected to strengthen economic diplomacy by engaging Ghana’s diaspora community in the United States, promoting business partnerships and helping increase Ghana’s non-traditional exports to the U.S. from US$405.6 million in 2025 to US$1 billion by the end of 2026.
The initiative comes at a time of growing trade between Ghana and the United States.
According to figures from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Census Bureau, bilateral goods trade reached approximately US$2.5 billion in 2025. U.S. exports to Ghana rose by 32.6 percent to US$1.3 billion, while Ghana exported US$1.2 billion worth of goods to the United States.
Trade momentum has continued into 2026, with bilateral goods trade increasing by more than 96 percent year-on-year in March, reflecting stronger commercial ties between the two countries.
Among Ghana’s leading exports to the United States during the period were cocoa beans valued at US$52.8 million and cocoa paste worth US$40.9 million. Ghana also remains the world’s leading exporter of yams, with the United States serving as its largest export market.
The Trade House is also expected to promote higher-value processed and semi-processed products as Ghana seeks to diversify its export portfolio and increase value addition.
Speaking at the inauguration, GEPA Chief Executive Officer Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur described the launch as a strategic milestone in Ghana’s export development agenda.
“Today, we formally establish our flagship Export Trade House here in Philadelphia, and as Ghana remains one of Africa’s most compelling destinations for doing business and investment, we are here to make entering global markets as smooth and achievable as possible,” he said.
He highlighted a series of successful international trade promotion activities undertaken by GEPA this year, noting that a delegation of Ghanaian horticultural exporters secured purchase orders worth more than US$350 million during Fruit Logistica in Berlin, Germany.
He added that subsequent participation in Macfrut in Italy and the Salon International de l’Alimentation (SIAL) in Canada generated additional export orders exceeding US$150 million and US$100 million, respectively.
Also speaking at the event, GIPC Chief Executive Officer Simon Madjie described the Ghana Trade House as a strategic national asset capable of strengthening Ghana’s international competitiveness and attracting greater foreign investment.
“When investors can see the quality of Ghanaian goods, understand the depth of local enterprise, and identify areas for partnership, they are more likely to move from curiosity to commitment,” he said.
Madjie reaffirmed GIPC’s commitment to working with GEPA, the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Ghana’s diplomatic missions, the private sector and diaspora business networks to translate increased trade visibility into tangible investment outcomes.
For her part, GFZA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mary Awusi said the Trade House would support Ghana’s broader export-led industrialisation agenda by strengthening investor confidence, expanding access to global markets and integrating more Ghanaian businesses into international value chains.
The opening of the Philadelphia Trade House marks another step in Ghana’s strategy to diversify export markets, increase non-traditional exports and position the country as a leading trade and investment hub in Africa.
