The Ghana Trade House in Nairobi, Kenya marks one year of operation, a milestone in the sustained implementation of the National Export Development Strategy (NEDS). The Trade House was established by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, GEPA in collaboration with the Association of Ghana Industries, AGI and has since become an important venue for marketing Ghana’s Non-Traditional Exports(NTEs) to the East African Market.
The Nairobi Trade House forms part of the umbrella 10-year NEDS strategy launched in October 2020 to transform Ghana’s export landscape through an increase in revenue from non-traditional exports.
This highly ambitious and commendable strategy is chasing a revenue target of USD 25.3 billion by the year 2029 and places Ghana in the spotlight of the global export market. This is the first of its kind in East Africa and represents one strategic objective of GEPA through the AfCFTA for increased intra-African trade, exploit new market opportunities, and foster closer economic relations throughout the continent.
A Hub for Promoting Made-in-Ghana Products
From its inauguration in May 2023, the Ghana Trade House in Nairobi has been an active contact point for the promotion of the entire range of NTEs from Ghana.
The key objective of the Ghana Trade House is to sell and promote manufactured goods from Ghana, while also deepening economic relations between Ghana and countries in East Africa. The Trade House, being one of the critical facilities within AfCFTA, has successfully provided an important outlet for Ghanaian exporters into Eastern Africa’s fast-growing markets. The state-of-the-art facility ensures that suppliers’ and consumers’ experience is smooth and up to date with the latest infrastructure meant to make the process of exporting smoother.
This is where more than 250 varieties of Ghanaian products totaling over 6,500 items are sold and marketed. These products cut across many industries: textiles, food and beverages, cosmetics, handicrafts, among others. The Trade House not only acts as a retail outlet but also as a wholesale distribution center that assists Ghanaian businesses in efficiently reaching the East African market.
Products at the Trade House are carefully curated to fit the diverse interests of regional consumers representing premium quality and the distinctive heritage of Ghana. Such diversification shows the breadth and depth of NTEs in Ghana, which, over these years, has been significant in the country’s policy of diversifying the economy from traditional commodities such as unprocessed gold, cocoa beans, lumber, and oil.
Empowering Ghanaian Exporters and East African Consumers
The Ghana Trade House is committed to the responsibility that would enable Ghanaian exporters with an assured and efficient platform for showcasing products to penetrate the East African market.
Similarly, the Trade House simplifies often complex logistical challenges associated with international trade, facilitating the consolidation of products, receipt, processing, and fulfilling orders on behalf of Ghanaian businesses. To the consumers in East Africa, the Trade House has been a destination point of discovery on unique and quality products that Ghana has to offer. This is everything, from premium cosmetics based on shea butter to intricately woven textiles, leatherwear, to high quality food products such as chocolates and other cocoa products, dried fruits, spices and food ingredients, ready-to-eat snacks and other processed food.
The Ghana Trade House has brought a new and exciting range of goods into the Kenyan market. This mutually rewarding relationship between Ghanaian suppliers and East African consumers speaks to the power of AfCFTA in fostering regional trade and economic integration.
The vision of GEPA looks beyond Nairobi to the replication of this model in other African countries, targeting key markets that are crucial to the growth of Ghana’s NTEs.
Looking Ahead: Future Prospects for the Ghana Trade House
In Ghana’s march towards attaining the aspirations of the NEDS, the Ghana Trade House in Nairobi will constantly be an important instrument in this endeavour.
Over the next few years, GEPA intends to expand operations, diversify products on offer, and consolidate the relationships that it has built up with Kenyan businesses and consumers.
Conclusion: A Celebration of Success and a Vision to the Future
The one-year anniversary of the opening of the Ghana Trade House in Nairobi thus marks a proud moment not only for GEPA and Ghanaian exporters but for the bigger and broader vision of AfCFTA in the creation of one single, prosperous African market.
Indeed, this milestone represents the culmination of hard work, dedication, and a shared commitment to driving Africa’s economic transformation through trade.
A series of activities have been lined up from the 5th to 15th October in Kenya and Tanzania to mark the anniversary. These include activations in Nairobi and Mombasa, a business forum on Dar es Salaam, a Ghana food bazaar as well as the grand durbar at the venue of the facility at the Sameer Business Park.
As we forge into the future, the Ghana Trade House will stand ready to be the continuing salient link between our Ghanaian producers and the wider African market, furthering this vision of a more integrated and economically vibrant continent.
