


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.
Partners
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.
Subscribe here to receive the quarterly NTF V Newsletter and read about our activities and events in the tech and agribusiness sectors in Africa.
- 25 Nov 2024 - joyonline: 14th Edition of Tech in Ghana Conference launched in Accra
- 21 Nov 2024 - thebftonline.com: Greater collaboration and innovation to drive tech ecosystem further – Experts
- 3 Sep 2024 - Joy Online: Prepare for traceability in Agriculture to secure export markets – ITC NTF V coordinator urges Ghanaian stakeholders
- 3 Sep 2024 - Business Ghana: Ghana's Agric Export Threat; Preparation for Traceability Crucial for Export to EU-ITC NTF V
- 29 Aug 2024 - instagram.com: National Project Coordinator for Ghana of the Netherlands Trust Fund V Project , Mr Issac Newton Acquah speaks
- 22 Aug 2024 - thebftonline.com: KIC announces second stakeholder dialogue to empower start ups, Agri-MSMEs
- 12 Dec 2023 - Myjoyonline: Ignitia Ghana, KIC, ITC-NTF 5 and partners endorse climate intelligence solutions to address socio-economic challenges across Africa
- 28 Nov 2023 - News Africa Now: 2023 edition of Tech in Ghana underway
- 17 Feb 2023 - My joy online: 12th edition of Tech in Ghana set to kick off in Accra
- 3 Nov 2023 - MENAFN.COM: Trade reforms can improve food supplies in West Africa
- 2 Oct 2023 - This Day: Hackapath Highlights Importance of Collaboration for Business Growth
- 2 Oct 2023 - Techeconomy: Hackapath ‘The Deal Room’, a B2B Matchmaking Initiative for African Businesses Aiming to Expand
- 24 Sep 2023 - Leadership: Hackapath Offers Platform For Sustainable Growth, Innovation
- 14 Aug 2023 - GH Headlines: Promoting agricultural innovation for Africa: KIC announces inaugural conference
- 19 Jul 2023 - Think News Online: "Winning foreign contracts through Int'l bidding takes more meticulous preparation" - Samuel Dentu
- 13 Jul 2023 - Hortidaily: How the future of food is growing in Ghana
- 4 May 2023 - the BFT online: Stakeholders underscore importance of cohesive, strong start-up ecosystem
- 2 May 2023 - BusinessGhana: Digital Farms: Tech Companies Meet Veg Growers
- 1 May 2023 - Africa-newsroom: Digital Farms: Tech Companies Meet Veg Growers
- 28 Feb 2023 - Intelligent cio: African technology companies turn environmental sustainability to their advantage
- 27 Feb 2023 - Thebftonline: Tech Job Fair 2023 – offering opportunities
- 7 Feb 2023 - Business Ghana: African tech companies turn environmental sustainability to their advantage
- 6 Feb 2023 - Brand Spurng: African Tech Companies Turn Environmental Sustainability To Their Advantage
- 4 Feb 2023 - News Ghana: IIPGH, AFOS Foundation and Partners Unveil Tech Job Fair 2023
- 26 Dec 2022 - Brand Spur: Export Marketing Plan Training Boosts African Tech Entrepreneurs
- 12 Dec 2022 - BusinessGhana: African entrepreneurs showcase their data solutions at Ghana tech event
- 12 Dec 2022 - African Business: African start-ups at the forefront of digital innovations transforming Africa’s economy
- 12 Sep 2022 - The Business & Financial Times online: Technology-induced solutions in the cocoa sector: an innovation to improve yields
- 26 May 2022 - mfidie.com: ITC Introduces Tech Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Mapping report
- 17 May 2022 - News Ghana: ITC And GEPA Launch Four-year Project To Boost Tech And Agribusiness Sectors
- 15 Apr 2022 - TechCabal: AfricArena announces its West Africa Regional Conference in Dakar, Senegal from April 23-27, 2022
- 30 Apr 2022 - OD: ITC Vivatech NTF V Challenge 2022
- 11 Apr 2022 - African Business: African start-ups gain traction in top tech networking events
- 11 Apr 2022 - NNN: African start-ups gain traction in top tech networking events