GEPA to sponsor 500 SMEs for inaugural GEXPO in November

The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) will sponsor at least 500 small and medium-sized enterprises to exhibit at the maiden Ghana Export and SME Fair (GEXPO) next month, a move aimed at accelerating the country’s push into non-traditional export markets.

GEPA Chief Executive Officer Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur announced the sponsorship during the launch of the Accra Trade House and Friday Market in Accra on Friday, October 23. The five-day GEXPO is scheduled for November 18–22, 2026, at Black Star Square.

“From the 18th of November to 22nd of November, 2026, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority will sponsor at least 500 SMEs to participate in the Ghana Export and SME Fair at the Black Star Square,” Mr. Arthur said .

The fair, held under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, is being organized by Accra Markets & Expo Limited in collaboration with GEPA, Ghana Exim Bank, the Federation of Ghanaian Exporters, the Association of Ghana Industries, and the Ghana Enterprises Agency . It follows the Ghana Investment Forum on November 16–17 and the Ghana Club 100 Awards on November 18 .

Organizers say GEXPO 2026 is designed to support the government’s Accelerated Export Development Programme, which seeks to transform Ghana into an export-led manufacturing hub and reduce dependence on imports . The event will prioritize high-growth sectors including agro-processing, textiles and apparel, cosmetics and natural oils, light manufacturing, digital trade, and exportable commercial services .

Beyond exhibitions, the fair will feature structured business-to-business engagements connecting Ghanaian producers with international buyers, procurement networks, and institutional off-takers. Technical sessions led by trade and standards experts will cover African Continental Free Trade Area rules of origin, international packaging standards, phytosanitary requirements, and access to tailored credit facilities through Ghana Exim Bank .

The sponsorship initiative forms part of GEPA’s broader strategy to support Ghanaian enterprises in developing export-ready products, accessing international markets, and increasing the country’s non-traditional export earnings. The authority recently launched the Accra Trade House as a permanent marketplace and aggregation center for products destined for Ghana’s trade houses in Nairobi, Philadelphia, and London, with plans to establish additional hubs in Hamburg, Palermo, and Amsterdam .

Mr. Arthur urged SMEs to prepare for the fair and take full advantage of the opportunity to promote their products and strengthen their business prospects .

Exhibitor registration remains open at ghanaexportsmef