The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI) is exploring a partnership with the African Startups and SMEs Empowerment and Trade Support (ASSETS) to strengthen the capacity of Ghanaian startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access regional and international markets.
The proposed collaboration is expected to support SMEs through export readiness programmes, capacity building, trade missions and initiatives aimed at improving their ability to participate in global trade. Discussions between the Ministry and ASSETS also focused on key challenges affecting SME exports, including access to finance, regulatory compliance and market access.
The Ministry said the partnership forms part of efforts to enhance the competitiveness of local enterprises and enable more Ghanaian businesses to benefit from opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Receiving a delegation from ASSETS on behalf of the Sector Minister, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi, said the Ministry remains committed to “working with strategic partners” to create opportunities for local enterprises to expand into regional and global markets.
He commended ASSETS for its commitment to supporting the growth of Ghanaian businesses and promoting intra-African trade, describing the organisation’s efforts as important in “supporting the growth” of startups and SMEs across the continent.
Ahi said strengthening collaboration with organisations focused on trade development would help advance Ghana’s industrialisation objectives and improve the ability of local businesses to compete internationally.
The engagement, held at the Ministry, aimed to introduce ASSETS and its ongoing trade support initiatives, while identifying potential areas of cooperation with the government.
ASSETS, a pan-African non-profit organisation headquartered in Accra, supports African startups and SMEs by helping them access global markets, with a focus on leveraging opportunities under the AfCFTA.
During the meeting, the organisation highlighted areas for potential collaboration, including “capacity building,” export support programmes and trade missions to connect Ghanaian businesses with international opportunities.
The discussions also examined policy measures to enhance SME participation in international trade, particularly through improved access to finance, compliance support, and strengthened market linkages.
