The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry is seeking deeper support from development partners for industrialisation and export expansion agenda, as government pushes to reposition the economy toward manufacturing and value-added exports.
Speaking during a meeting of the Private Sector Working Group, Deputy Trade Minister Sampson Ahi said the ministry’s priorities are anchored on government’s 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, known as 24H+, which aims to reduce reliance on primary commodity exports.
The engagement brought together government officials and development partners to discuss reforms aimed at improving private sector competitiveness, removing regulatory bottlenecks and accelerating trade and industrial growth.
Officials outlined plans to strengthen agribusiness through the “Feed the Industry” initiative to improve the supply of raw materials for local manufacturing. The ministry also reiterated a target to increase non-traditional exports to $10 billion by 2029, while reviving the textile and garment sector to support large-scale job creation.
The ministry further highlighted ongoing regulatory reforms designed to improve the ease of doing business and attract investment into strategic sectors, noting that support from development partners would be critical in areas including long-term financing, digitalisation, market intelligence, skills development and infrastructure expansion.
Discussions also covered the Green, Digital and Inclusive Private Sector Development Project, which seeks to align industrial growth with sustainability and digital transformation goals.
Representatives from the European Union and GIZ, among others, pledged continued support for the ministry’s priority programmes. The talks seek to accelerate industrial growth and diversify exports amid broader efforts to stabilise the economy and strengthen private sector-led expansion.
