Ghana has taken a decisive step toward building a modern digital economy with the national validation of its first-ever E-Commerce Strategy, aimed at transforming trade, supporting small businesses, and promoting inclusive growth.
The two-day workshop in Accra, convened by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI) in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), brought together senior policymakers, private sector actors, academics, civil society organisations, and development partners to review and endorse the draft framework.
Designed to address structural barriers and unlock new digital trade opportunities, the strategy sets out goals to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), create decent jobs, enhance gender and rural inclusion, and integrate Ghana more deeply into the global e-commerce landscape.
“This strategy is ambitious yet practical while promoting trust in the digital space, improving logistics and payment systems, supporting MSMEs to thrive online, and ensuring inclusive access for women and rural communities. It is the beginning of a coordinated national effort to make e-commerce work for all Ghanaians,” said Mr Sampson Ahi, Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry.
The strategy builds on findings from the eTrade Readiness Assessment (eT Ready) conducted by UNCTAD in response to a 2023 request from MoTAI. The report, published in November 2023, highlighted key gaps and policy priorities across Ghana’s digital trade ecosystem. In March 2024, MoTAI formally sought UNCTAD’s support to translate those recommendations into a national e-commerce strategy.
To ensure coordination and accountability in implementation, the Ministry is also establishing a National Steering Committee on E-Commerce and Digital Trade, comprising representatives from government, private sector, academia, and civil society. The committee will oversee execution, monitor results, and support cross-sector collaboration.
The strategy is being supported through a joint UN programme led by UNCTAD, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO). Funded by the Joint SDG Fund Digital Transformation Round (2023), the programme focuses on building national capacity to plan and implement inclusive digital trade reforms.
The strategy was developed following several months of consultation, including national dialogues in June 2024 and stakeholder engagements through October and November. This process helped deepen inter-agency coordination and foster stronger public-private dialogue within Ghana’s fast-evolving digital economy.
“Ghana’s commitment to shaping a forward-looking e-commerce strategy is a testament to the country’s vision for inclusive and sustainable digital transformation,” said Torbjörn Fredriksson, Head of UNCTAD’s E-commerce and Digital Economy Branch.
The endorsement of the strategy marks a turning point in Ghana’s digital trajectory, aligning policy with the realities of a rapidly digitising economy while placing equity, innovation, and local business at the centre.
