The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) is exploring a strategic partnership with global logistics company DHL to improve shipping services, reduce international trade barriers and strengthen the competitiveness of Ghanaian exporters, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The initiative follows high level discussions between GEPA Chief Executive Officer, Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, Esq., and representatives of DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Express in Bonn, Germany.
The engagement focused on developing practical solutions to some of the logistical challenges confronting Ghanaian businesses seeking to expand into international markets.
“Our objective is to ensure that Ghanaian exporters, particularly SMEs, have access to affordable and reliable logistics services that enable them to compete effectively in international markets.”
GEPA Chief Executive Officer, Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, Esq
Access to Affordable Logistics for Exporters
Access to reliable and competitively priced logistics services remains an important consideration for businesses seeking to participate in international trade.
For many Ghanaian SMEs, the challenge extends beyond producing quality goods to meeting the transportation, documentation, handling and delivery requirements of overseas buyers.
High shipping costs and limited access to established international distribution networks can increase operational expenses, affect profit margins and make locally produced goods less competitive in destination markets.
The discussions between GEPA and DHL therefore seek to address an important part of the export value chain by exploring arrangements that could make international shipping more accessible to smaller businesses.
The World Bank’s 2023 Logistics Performance Index ranked Ghana 123rd out of 139 countries, highlighting the broader need to strengthen logistics infrastructure, shipment arrangements, customs efficiency and supply chain performance.
Improving these areas is particularly important as Ghana seeks to diversify its export base and increase the contribution of non-traditional exports to national economic development.
“Access to international markets must go beyond identifying buyers. Businesses must also have the logistics capacity to deliver their products efficiently, reliably and at competitive costs.”
GEPA Chief Executive Officer, Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, Esq.,
DHL Accepts GEXPO 2026 Invitation
An important outcome of the Bonn discussions was DHL’s acceptance of an invitation from the GEPA Chief Executive to participate in the Ghana Export and SME Fair (GEXPO) 2026.
The five-day event is scheduled for November 18–22, 2026, at Black Star Square in Accra and is expected to provide a platform for Ghanaian businesses to showcase their products, establish commercial relationships and explore opportunities within international markets.
DHL will deliver masterclasses during the fair and showcase its logistics solutions to participating businesses.
The masterclasses are expected to provide practical insights into international shipping, freight arrangements and the logistics considerations involved in exporting goods.
For SMEs with limited experience in international commerce, direct engagement with logistics professionals could help bridge knowledge gaps and improve their preparedness for overseas business transactions.
The company’s participation will also create opportunities for exhibitors to understand how different logistics solutions can support their businesses, from transporting product samples to fulfilling commercial export orders.
“Our participation in GEXPO 2026 will provide an opportunity to demonstrate practical logistics solutions and engage directly with Ghanaian businesses seeking to expand their international trade operations.”
DHL Repsentative
The involvement of DHL is expected to strengthen the business-to-business engagement component of the fair by connecting exporters with a major international logistics provider.
It also reinforces the importance of bringing together export promotion agencies, financial institutions, business associations and private sector service providers to address the practical needs of Ghanaian enterprises.
Strengthening Ghana’s Export Competitiveness
The proposed GEPA-DHL cooperation comes at a significant period for Ghana’s non-traditional export sector, which continues to play an important role in economic diversification, employment creation and foreign exchange generation.
According to GEPA’s 2025 Non-Traditional Export Statistics Report, Ghana generated approximately US$5.006 billion from non-traditional exports in 2025, representing a 30.7 per cent increase over the US$3.83 billion recorded in 2024.
The processed and semi-processed products contributed approximately US$3.09 billion, accounting for 83.47 per cent of total non-traditional export earnings.
Agricultural exports also recorded growth of 37.82 per cent to approximately US$710.3 million, demonstrating the growing opportunities available to Ghanaian producers and agribusinesses in international markets.
These figures highlight the importance of strengthening the systems that connect domestic production to global demand.
However, sustaining export growth requires more than increasing production capacity. Businesses must be able to meet international standards, manage supply chains, maintain product quality and deliver orders efficiently.
The logistics sector consequently remains a critical component of Ghana’s export development strategy, particularly as the country seeks to increase value addition and expand the geographical reach of locally manufactured and processed products.
GEPA’s engagement with DHL represents an opportunity to connect export promotion activities with practical logistics solutions that can help businesses overcome operational barriers.
“The collaboration between GEPA and DHL represents an important step towards addressing logistical barriers and creating an enabling environment for Ghanaian enterprises to grow their export businesses.”
GEPA Chief Executive Officer, Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, Esq
As preparations advance towards the November fair, the expected masterclasses and exhibition of logistics solutions will provide exporters with an opportunity to engage directly with industry professionals and identify services that respond to their individual business requirements.
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