Ghana is stepping up efforts to ensure women entrepreneurs, persons with disabilities, rural businesses and young traders can participate in the country’s expanding digital economy as the government moves to implement its National E-Commerce Strategy.
Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare said Ghana’s digital transformation must ensure that the benefits of e-commerce and digital trade are accessible beyond people with reliable internet connections, digital devices, urban infrastructure and technology skills. She made the remarks in a speech read on her behalf at a capacity-building workshop on inclusive e-commerce and digital trade.
“Ghana’s digital transformation agenda must ensure that no group is left behind.” Ofosu-Adjare said.
The workshop forms part of efforts to implement Ghana’s National E-Commerce Strategy, which the government developed over the past two years with support from UN Trade and Development, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, UNDP and UNCDF through the Joint SDG Fund.
The strategy is intended to establish a stronger policy and business environment for digital trade as e-commerce becomes an increasingly important channel for businesses to reach consumers.
MSMEs Face Digital Shift
Ofosu-Adjare said micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, farmers, entrepreneurs and traders are increasingly expected to engage customers and conduct business online as digital commerce becomes more central to modern trade.
For Ghana, widening participation will require more than expanding internet access. Businesses also need digital skills, appropriate infrastructure and the ability to transact safely and competitively across online markets.
The government is therefore seeking to ensure that groups that have traditionally faced barriers to economic participation are included in the country’s digital transition.
That includes women-owned businesses, enterprises operating outside major urban centres, young traders and persons with disabilities.
Digital Trade Seen as Growth Opportunity
Martine Julsaint Kidane of UN Trade and Development, speaking at the opening session, said digital technologies are creating new opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation, trade and employment across Africa.
She said digital platforms can help businesses reach larger markets and participate more actively in regional and global value chains.
For Ghana, the challenge is to translate that potential into broader participation in commerce rather than allowing digital trade to benefit only firms and consumers already equipped to operate online.
The workshop is intended to strengthen capacity around inclusive e-commerce as Ghana moves from developing its national e-commerce strategy toward implementation.
The strategy provides a roadmap for building an environment in which digital commerce can contribute to sustainable development, while the government and its development partners seek to close gaps in access, skills and participation.
Ghana’s push comes as e-commerce becomes an increasingly important part of how businesses market products, reach customers and participate in cross-border trade. The success of the strategy will depend on whether those opportunities extend beyond the country’s digitally connected urban businesses to smaller firms and underserved groups.
