Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM) is seeking to mobilize investment and accelerate technology adoption in agriculture as part of efforts to build an export-led economy, its chief executive said at the opening of the Ghana AgroTech Fair.
Chief Executive Officer Sylvester Adinam Mensah said the fair is designed to promote local innovation, strengthen agribusiness and support Ghana’s push toward value addition and increased exports. The event, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, forms part of a broader policy drive backed by President John Dramani Mahama to reposition agriculture as a key engine of industrial growth and job creation.
“The Agrotech Fair 2026, under the theme, Transforming Agribusiness through Local Innovation and Technology, is intended to be a regular platform to promote agrotech innovation, strengthening agribusiness and advanced Ghana’s economic transformation through agroprocessing, value addition and accelerated exports.”
Mensah said the initiative aims to connect farmers, agribusinesses, investors and policymakers to turn ideas into commercially viable ventures, while showcasing local technologies that can improve productivity across the agricultural value chain. “Primarily, it serves as a pedestal to showcase practical domestic architectural technologies and solutions that can improve productivity across the agricultural value chain.”
He added that the platform is expected to stimulate investment in agriculture as a driver of trade and industrialisation, while increasing the visibility of Ghanaian innovations in regional and global markets.
“Thirdly, it is aimed at stimulating investment in agriculture, not only as a development priority, but as a crucial engine for trade, jobs and industrial growth.” The bank sees agricultural technology as critical to reducing post-harvest losses, improving quality standards and boosting export competitiveness, while making the sector more attractive to young people.
“Principally, it makes agriculture more attractive to the youth, young people, by illustrating and emphasizing that the sector is not only about transforming farming, but also about engineering, innovation, logistics, data, manufacturing and entrepreneurship.” Mensah said the fair is expected to serve as both a showcase and a catalyst for long-term transformation, supporting startups, local manufacturers and agribusiness expansion.
“This fair is also about long-term transformation, and its impact should echo and ripple even beyond the closure of this impressive exhibition.” He reiterated the bank’s mandate to support value addition across the agricultural chain, from production to processing, packaging and exports, as Ghana seeks to diversify its economy.
“At Ghana Ex-Im Bank, we remain committed to supporting this transformation. Our mandate is to help build a strong export-led economy by promoting value addition and supporting productive sectors.”
Mensah also highlighted the need to integrate sustainability into agricultural growth, including efficient resource use and climate-conscious practices, while ensuring inclusion of small businesses, women and youth.
The initiative underscores a broader shift in Ghana’s economic strategy toward leveraging agriculture, technology and industrialisation to drive growth, with policymakers increasingly focused on building resilient, export-oriented sectors.
