GhanaFest Europe 2026 is set to boost trade and investment cooperation between Ghana and the Netherlands, with organisers prioritising tangible business deals and long-term partnerships over dialogue.
Scheduled for September 10 to 12, 2026, at the World Trade Centre in Amsterdam, the event will convene investors, businesses, policymakers and industry leaders to explore new avenues for market expansion and cross-border collaboration.
The initiative is being spearheaded by the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with the Ghana Netherlands Business and Culture Council and RAM Media Concepts.
Speaking at the official launch, Ms. Hilde Famaey, General Manager of the GNBCC, said the upcoming edition would mark a strategic shift toward delivering concrete trade outcomes and investment partnerships.
She noted that beyond the traditional exhibition format, the programme would feature a structured trade mission aimed at linking Ghanaian enterprises directly with Dutch investors, institutions and business partners.
Ms. Famaey described the approach as a transition into what she termed the “Amsterdam Accord,” a framework intended to drive deeper industrial alignment between Ghana and the Netherlands.
According to her, the focus will be on promoting value addition, sustainable production systems and scalable business models, particularly among Ghanaian companies ready to expand internationally.
She identified key target areas including logistics, green trade compliance, horticulture and cocoa processing, adding that selected Ghanaian firms were already undergoing pre-event matchmaking processes to connect with suitable Dutch counterparts.
Ms. Famaey said the GNBCC was repositioning itself as an active investment facilitator by linking Ghanaian businesses with capital, technology and expertise from the Netherlands.
She encouraged Ghanaian companies to participate with well-developed, investment-ready proposals to maximise the benefits of the platform, while also urging Dutch firms to use the event as an entry point into Ghana and the broader West African market.
Mr. Augustine Mark, Chief Executive Officer of RAM Media Concepts, said GhanaFest Europe 2026 would further strengthen economic and cultural relations between Ghana and Europe.
He explained that the theme, “Value Addition and Sustainable Partnerships: Shaping the Future of Ghana-Netherlands Trade,” reflects Ghana’s push to move beyond raw material exports toward industrial processing and higher-value production.
Mr. Mark described the event as a premier gateway for connecting Ghanaian exporters and institutions with European investors and buyers across multiple sectors.
He indicated that the 2026 edition would spotlight industries such as agriculture, food processing, construction, tourism, fintech, pharmaceuticals and innovation.
The expo will be built around three main components: a trade exhibition, structured business-to-business matchmaking sessions, and cultural diplomacy activities.
Mr. Mark added that the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre would support the event through targeted investment promotion efforts designed to attract European capital into Ghana’s priority sectors.
He also highlighted plans to incorporate cultural showcases, including a Highlife music concert, to promote Ghana’s tourism and creative industries.
Mr. Mark said GhanaFest Europe 2026 would position Ghana as a competitive player in global trade while reinforcing bilateral economic ties with the Netherlands.
He urged businesses and stakeholders to leverage the platform to build sustainable partnerships that can drive long-term economic growth.
