Ghana: Building Resilient Trade Competitiveness by Fast Tracking the Digital Technology Sector (NTF V)
Overview
Summary
ITC and CBI have been cooperating for decades. This cooperation led to a series of sector development programmes under the Netherlands Trust Fund (NTF) since 2005. The current project is part of the NTF V programme funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands and implemented in close coordination with the Dutch Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI).
The NTF V programme was approved in July 2021 and will run until June 2025. Its ambition is to contribute to building back better in the partner countries with a focus on creating a link between MSMEs in the digital technologies and agribusiness sectors. To this end, agritech start-ups will be supported to improve their understanding of agribusinesses’ needs, to gain more agribusinesses partners, and, in some instances, to help digitalize agribusinesses. Digitalizing agribusinesses will be done by the agribusiness team, working whenever possible with agritech businesses that are part of NTF V Ghana Tech project, in the cocoa and associated crops sector, which will be the main focus area for both teams.
In the digital technology sector, activities will foster business-friendly tech ecosystems, strengthen business support organizations such as tech hubs and equip tech start-ups and SMEs with resilient business models, linking them to business, partnership and investment opportunities while contributing to the digitalization of traditional SMEs in other sectors.
Ghana is part of the targeted countries for NTF V, under both the digital technologies and the agribusiness sectors. The Ghanaian ICT sector has been growing steadily over the recent years – even during the pandemic, attracting venture capital investment and seen a regular increase in the number of successful small tech businesses able to expand beyond the country’s borders. NTF V Ghana Tech aims at contributing to the creation of sustainable jobs in the digital technologies sector.
Recipients
Partners
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries
Social media
ITC partners with the Netherlands to support African business
Ghana’s technology sector accounts for a growing share of the economy, and has become one of the country’s best-performing sectors.
In 2019, information and communication technologies contributed 3.6% of Ghana’s GDP. Telecommunications accounted for 45% of the jobs and most of the value addition in the sector. Computer programming, consultancy, and related activities employed 13%. Digital platforms in Ghana are transforming the provision of services, particularly in retail, transportation, and accommodation. Microwork platforms are becoming a source of jobs.
Ghana’s digital infrastructure is mainly developed in cities. Rural areas require further investments to expand access. Currently internet costs are high while access is low. This needs to change for Ghana’s digital economy to become more competitive.
Objectives of the project:
The NTF V Project in Ghana aims at strengthening tech start-ups, with a focus on agritech and MSMEs. It also seeks to create a supportive environment for tech companies by influencing policy makers and regulators, trade and investment support Institutions, private business support providers, as well as international business partners. The ambition is to help rebuild back better with a focus on MSMEs working in digital technologies. Our trade-related technical support is three-fold:
- At the policy level: We assist in developing or improving public policies and sectoral regulations, with private-sector representatives.
- At the institutional level: We work with digital business associations and tech hubs to increase their sustainability and impact.
- At the start-up and MSME level: We develop market access and build international competitiveness.
Funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the project supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the agribusiness sector, focusing on cocoa and associated crops.
Funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the project supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the agribusiness sector, focusing on coffee and associated crops.
Funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the project supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the digital technologies sector.
Funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the project supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the agribusiness sector, focusing on cashew and associated crops.
Funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the project supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the digital technologies sector.
Funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, this multi-country project supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the digital technologies sector.
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