The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) and the Netherlands’ Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening trade cooperation and improving market access for Ghanaian exporters in the Netherlands and the wider European Union (EU).
The agreement is expected to enhance the capacity of Ghanaian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to meet international market requirements and expand their presence in European markets.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Mr. Jeroen Verheul, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to building an equal and mutually beneficial trade partnership with Ghana.
He described the Netherlands as a strategic gateway to the European market due to its strong trade links and logistics networks.
The Chief Executive Officer of GEPA, Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, highlighted the growing importance of the Dutch market to Ghana’s export sector, noting that the Netherlands became Ghana’s leading destination for Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) in 2025, generating US$831 million in export revenue.
He said the development underscores the strategic importance of the new partnership and expressed confidence that Ghana could double its export earnings from the Netherlands by the end of 2026.
According to him, the collaboration supports Ghana’s broader objective of increasing Non-Traditional Export earnings to US$10 billion by 2030 through improved exporter capacity, diversification of export products, and stronger alignment with international market demands.
Representing CBI, Mr. Wim van Heumen said the partnership would provide Ghanaian SMEs with critical support to access European markets.
He explained that the initiative would focus on technical assistance, certification support, market intelligence, and creating direct connections between Ghanaian businesses and European buyers.
The MoU is expected to serve as a platform for expanding trade opportunities, improving competitiveness among Ghanaian exporters, and strengthening economic ties between Ghana and the Netherlands.
