Ghana and Ethiopia should significantly increase their commercial exchanges to unlock trade and investment. This call comes from the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), which sees substantial untapped opportunities between the two nations.
Afua Tekyi-Mills, Head of Marketing and Communications at GIPC, emphasized this need at the Ghana Business and Cultural Expo in Addis Ababa. She noted that while both countries are central to Africa's economic integration, actual trade volumes are much lower than they could be. The GIPC believes the present moment is ideal, with political and continental structures like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in place but commercial ties lagging behind.
Ghana, hosting the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra, and Ethiopia, home to the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, are strategically positioned. This placement is crucial for driving trade and investment across the continent. Ms. Tekyi-Mills described the modest trade figures not as a failure, but as a sign of great potential waiting to be explored by businesses.
Ghana's exports outside traditional commodities surged past US$5 billion in 2025. This performance signals growing competitiveness for Ghanaian products. This strong export trend, combined with increasing interest from investors, makes Ghana an attractive hub for East African businesses aiming for West African markets. Key sectors like agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, textiles and garments, tourism, hospitality, logistics, and aviation services are highlighted as promising areas for Ethiopian investment in Ghana.
Within agriculture, opportunities exist in food processing and cold chain logistics. Opportunities also lie in poultry, rice milling, and shea butter production. In textiles and fashion, Ghana boasts strengths in design and branding, including Kente and batik. Ethiopia brings established garment production expertise and industrial park experience. Collaboration here could create competitive African fashion brands for wider markets.
Ghana offers investors various incentives. These include tax breaks and strong investor protections. Businesses in strategic sectors can get tailored support and access to regional markets through ECOWAS and AfCFTA. Ghana also guarantees investors the ability to transfer profits freely.
The GIPC urges Ethiopian businesses to connect early for guidance on investment. They should explore practical partnerships in agro-processing, textiles, logistics, and specialty food trade. The goal is to build a robust business corridor connecting West and East Africa. Ms. Tekyi-Mills stated the next step is to grow current efforts into well-structured partnerships. These partnerships are expected to create jobs, boost industrialisation, and deepen African trade.