The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) has moved to deepen market access for indigenous manufacturers, with a working visit to Plot Enterprise (Ghana) Limited in Takoradi, aimed at positioning the Western Region-based cocoa processor for wider international trade.
The visit forms part of GEPA’s broader strategy to increase Ghana’s Non-Traditional Export (NTE) earnings by connecting local producers with established overseas distribution channels, with NTE receipts hitting a record US$5.006 billion in 2025.The Authority says expanding the number of Ghanaian companies that can compete abroad is critical to sustaining growth and creating jobs.
The visit forms part of GEPA’s broader strategy to increase Ghana’s Non-Traditional Export (NTE) earnings by connecting local producers with established overseas distribution channels, with NTE receipts hitting a record US$5.006 billion in 2025.The Authority says expanding the number of Ghanaian companies that can compete abroad is critical to sustaining growth and creating jobs.
The delegation was taken through the full processing line at Plot Enterprise’s facility in Takoradi. Management briefed the team on the company’s current operations and its growing portfolio of export ready products. Plot Enterprise, a wholly Ghanaian owned company, currently processes cocoa into semi-finished products including cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, and cocoa cake. In a strategic move to capture higher value, the company has also expanded into finished consumer goods, rolling out bespoke chocolate bars and premium cocoa powder targeted at health conscious and artisanal markets.
“This expansion into bespoke chocolate and cocoa powder is significant a GEPA. It shows that Ghanaian companies are moving beyond the export of raw materials and semi-processed goods into finished products that command higher prices and stronger brand loyalty in international markets.”
GEPA
The delegation observed quality control processes, packaging lines, and storage facilities. Management emphasized that the company adheres to international food safety standards and is working toward additional certifications required by buyers in Europe and North America.
Leveraging Ghana Export Trade Houses
The highlight of the discussions centered on the Ghana Export Trade Houses, a GEPA initiative designed to give Made-in-Ghana brands a physical presence in priority markets. Plot Enterprise was encouraged to take advantage of the Trade Houses currently operational in Nairobi, Kenya; Philadelphia, USA; and London, United Kingdom.
According to GEPA’s CEO, Mr. Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, Esq. The Trade Houses serve as showrooms, business centres, and networking hubs for Ghanaian exporters. These Trade Houses provide a permanent address for Ghanaian brands in key markets.
The London house provides direct access to the UK and wider European specialty chocolate market, where demand for ethically sourced, single origin cocoa is growing. The Philadelphia location opens doors to the US natural foods and confectionery sector, while the Nairobi hub serves as a gateway to East Africa’s expanding retail and hospitality industry.
GEPA officials outlined the application process, product listing requirements, and marketing support available to companies that on-board with the Trade Houses. They also highlighted past success stories of Ghanaian SMEs that secured distribution deals after exhibiting at the facilities.
The Case for Value Addition in Cocoa
Ghana remains the world’s second-largest producer of cocoa beans, but for decades the country exported most of its crop in raw form. The shift toward domestic processing has become a national priority, driven by the need to retain more value within the country.
Value added cocoa products such as butter, liquor, and chocolate typically earn multiples of what raw beans fetch on the international market. They also create more jobs along the value chain, from factory workers to packaging designers and logistics providers. Plot Enterprise’s model aligns with this national agenda. By processing beans locally in Takoradi and exporting finished goods, the company contributes to industrialization in the Western Region and reduces post-harvest losses.
Management said the company sources a significant portion of its beans from cooperatives in the region, creating a direct link between farmers and export markets. The timing is also favourable. Global consumers are increasingly seeking premium, traceable, and sustainably produced chocolate. Ghana’s reputation for high-quality cocoa gives companies like Plot Enterprise a competitive advantage if they can meet packaging, branding, and certification standards.
NTE Growth and the Road Ahead
Ghana’s NTE earnings of US$5.006 billion in 2025 represent the highest on record, driven by strong performance in processed foods, manufactured goods, and handicrafts. GEPA attributes the growth to targeted interventions, including capacity building, market intelligence, and trade facilitation through platforms like the Export Trade Houses. However, officials cautioned that maintaining momentum will require more companies to enter export markets and for existing exporters to diversify products and destinations.
To support this, GEPA is intensifying technical assistance in areas such as product development, packaging design, and compliance with international standards. The Authority is also organizing buyer-seller meetings and virtual trade missions to connect Ghanaian suppliers with importers abroad. For Plot Enterprise, the next steps involve finalizing documentation for the Trade Houses, scaling production to meet potential export orders, and strengthening its branding to appeal to international consumers.
GEPA pledged to provide follow-up support, including linking the company with freight forwarders, certification bodies, and potential buyers identified through the Authority’s network.
Stakeholders in Takoradi welcomed GEPA’s engagement, noting that increased export activity by companies like Plot Enterprise could stimulate the local economy. Beyond direct employment, the company’s growth is expected to benefit suppliers, transporters, and service providers in the Western Region.
Management of Plot Enterprise expressed appreciation for GEPA’s visit and reiterated its commitment to quality and expansion. Noted that with a vision to show that Ghana can produce world class chocolate, the right partnerships and market access, they believe they can take Made-in-Ghana chocolate to the world.
As GEPA continues its outreach to SMEs across the country, the case of Plot Enterprise illustrates the potential of targeted support to transform local production into export success. With global demand for premium cocoa products on the rise and new trade infrastructure in place, Ghanaian companies are being positioned to claim a larger share of the international market.
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