Ghana and Netherlands Sign MoU to Expand Exports to Europe
The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) and the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) of the Netherlands have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise a strategic trade partnership to increase Ghana’s Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) to the Netherlands and the broader European Union (EU) market.
The signing ceremony, held on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Accra, marks a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral economic cooperation through quality export trade facilitation, capacity building, and improved market access for Ghanaian exporters.
The high-level event brought together H.E. Mr Jeroen Verheul, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ghana, representing the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation; H.E. Mr Eddison Mensah Agbenyegah, Ghana’s Ambassador to the Netherlands; the Chief Executive Officer of GEPA, Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, Esq.; Mr Wim van Heumen, representing the Managing Director of CBI from The Hague; and members of GEPA’s senior management team.
Speaking at the ceremony, H.E. Mr Jeroen Verheul underscored the Dutch government’s commitment to advancing Ghana-Netherlands relations through an equal partnership grounded in trade, investment, and shared economic growth.
He noted that the European Union remains one of the world’s most important trading blocs, with the Netherlands serving as a strategic gateway to the European market through its world-class ports, inland waterways, cold chain infrastructure, and efficient logistics systems. According to him, the partnership will help address market-access challenges facing Ghanaian exporters while creating greater opportunities for Dutch and European importers seeking quality products from Ghana.
Mr Verheul further emphasised the importance of supporting value addition, food safety, sustainability and compliance with European standards to ensure Ghanaian products remain competitive within the EU market.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of GEPA, Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, Esq., described the partnership as a major step toward achieving Ghana’s export diversification agenda.
He noted that the collaboration directly supports GEPA’s mandate to reduce Ghana’s dependence on traditional exports, such as gold and unprocessed cocoa, by expanding the country’s Non-Traditional Export sector.
“The Netherlands remains Ghana’s leading destination for Non-Traditional Exports. This partnership with CBI aligns closely with our ambition to increase Non-Traditional Export earnings to US$10 billion by 2030. By understanding importer requirements, strengthening exporter capacity, diversifying our export basket, and improving product quality, we are positioning Ghana to become an even stronger supplier to the European market,” he stated.
He expressed confidence that the collaboration would significantly increase Ghana’s Non-Traditional Export earnings from the European market in the coming years.
Representing the Managing Director of CBI, Mr Wim van Heumen highlighted the practical benefits of the partnership, explaining that both institutions will combine their expertise and resources to support Ghanaian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in strategic sectors, including horticulture (particularly fresh fruits and vegetables), cocoa, agribusiness, and the IT/BPO services industry.
He explained that a major component of the collaboration will be assisting Ghanaian businesses to meet the European Union’s stringent market requirements through certification, sustainability compliance, coaching and technical support.
Beyond technical assistance, the MoU establishes a framework for cooperation in areas such as market intelligence, business matchmaking, trade fair participation, capacity development and the creation of strategic partnerships that will connect Ghanaian exporters directly with buyers and importers across Europe.
The partnership is expected to strengthen Ghana’s competitiveness in international markets, improve export readiness among local businesses and unlock new commercial opportunities for Ghanaian products within the Netherlands and across the European Union.
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