Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) Market Hub

The market hub for the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) was launched in December 2017 and has become the trade information portal for promoting trade from and with Ghana. On the one hand, the hub provides market information and tools to Ghanaian exporters. And on the other hand, it serves foreign buyers who look for reliable exporters and sourcing opportunities in Ghana.

Products

mango, pineapple, wood, timber, tuna, skipjack, chillies, cocoa, roots, tubers, cassava, yam

Year

2016 – 2018

Country

Ghana

Type of activity

  • Coaching
  • Consulting
  • Market Intelligence
  • Trade Intelligence Portals

Year

2016 – 2018

Country

Ghana

Type of activity

  • Coaching
  • Consulting
  • Market Intelligence
  • Trade Intelligence Portals
Globally Cool has supported the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) in developing and sustaining a trade information portal, also called a 'market hub'. It is part of a Quality Infrastructure Project in Ghana, financed by SECO and implemented by UNIDO. Since the launch (end 2017) the GEPA market hub has been a unique one-stop online platform where Ghanaian exporters can increase knowledge and skills to increase their exports. Within one click they have access to:
  • New markets and buyers
  • International market information for cocoa, fruits and vegetables, roots and tubers, seafood and processed wood:
    • Sector-specific publications with insights into foreign markets including the EU
    • Market access requirements, certification and standards
    • Market trends and developments
    • International news and events
  • Ghana’s Non-Traditional Export performance (annually)
  • Trade facilitation resources (including an integration with the Single Window facility)
  • Export readiness checker and export marketing skill boosters
  • Video animations on foreign markets and Ghana’s competitor performance
Furthermore, the market hub promotes the Ghanaian exportable offer and exporters to interested foreign buyers and investors through sector profiles and a searchable exporter directory with trusted Ghanaian exporters. The hub is now sustainably managed in-house by GEPA staff and has become a strategic pillar in the organization's service delivery. The hub can be visited here: www.gepaghana.org. The market hub has won a prestigious international prize. On October 26th 2018, the International Trade Centre (ITC) has given its World Trade Promotion Organization (WTPO) Award for Best Digital Innovation to GEPA. The 2018 WTPO Award recognized the GEPA market hub as the best platform to promote 'Made in Ghana' products and services, and the best resource for suppliers and buyers of Ghanaian products and services.

Activities

  • GEPA diagnosed and stakeholder sessions conducted.
  • Training and coaching delivered to GEPA staff, middle and senior management.
  • Trade intelligence portal developed and handed-over.
  • Promotion plan developed, including online campaigns (SEO, social media, email newsletter), brochures and awareness sessions in Ghana.
  • Project development and intervention design to develop an online market hub with added value market information services for four value chains; wood processing, fruits & vegetables, cacao and seafood.
  • Business model and financial sustainability strategy developed, including the identification of two commercial banks in Ghana that advertise through the portal, and as such contribute significant income to sustain the newly developed services.

Results

  • Market hub developed, launched and sustainably managed by GEPA.
  • Intervention plan designed based on organizational assessment.
  • GEPA strengthened and new MI services sustainably implemented (one-pagers with 'new markets' and 'competitor reports').
  • Innovative new MI service in video format available; one minute video animations disseminated through GEPA's YouTube channel.
  • Financial sustainability of the new service through income generation model with private sector.
  • GEPA staff trained and coached on the job, skills and knowledge transferred.
  • Increased visibility of GEPA and the Hub, through enhanced online marketing and awareness sessions.
  • Exportable offer presented through sector profiles and unique value propositions.
  • Exporter directory online with trusted Ghanaian exporters - approved by GEPA.