The Ghana Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL) participated in the 2026 Fruit Logistica trade fair in Berlin, Germany, alongside Ghanaian-owned agribusiness exporters and international industry actors. Fruit Logistica is widely regarded as one of the world’s premier platforms for fresh produce and horticultural trade, bringing together producers, exporters, financiers, and policymakers from across global value chains. GIRSAL’s delegation led by its Board Chair, Prof. Richard Jinks Bani; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nicholas Afrifa; Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Samuel Yeboah; and Board Member, Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, used the forum to highlight Ghana’s agribusiness potential and explore pathways for expanding the country’s footprint in international markets.
At a side event attended by approximately fifty Ghanaian exhibitors and sector institutions, including the Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE), and several agribusiness firms and financial institutions, Prof. Bani underscored the need for Ghanaian exporters to align more closely with international standards. He emphasized that competitiveness in global markets requires not only participation in international trade fairs but also strategic engagement, consistent quality, and the capacity to deliver products at scale. According to him, meeting buyer expectations and expanding production volumes are essential for sustaining export growth and strengthening Ghana’s position in global fresh produce markets.
Prof. Bani further outlined GIRSAL’s strategic priorities, which include expanding access to agricultural finance, deepening partnerships with commercial banks, and supporting agribusinesses to transition from domestic markets to regional and global value chains. As part of this agenda, he announced the establishment of a Women and SMEs Desk aimed at building the capacity of women-led enterprises, facilitating access to finance through partner banks, and providing advisory services to help them adopt modern production practices and meet export requirements. He also encouraged international exporters and investors to collaborate with GIRSAL in developing a resilient export ecosystem, assuring them of the institution’s readiness to support partnerships and investment in Ghanaian agribusinesses.
Speaking on investment prospects, GIRSAL’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nicholas Afrifa, highlighted Ghana’s comparative advantages, including a stable supply of fresh produce, underdeveloped but promising value chains, and growing domestic expertise. He noted that by combining access to finance, technical assistance, and strategic partnerships, Ghana is positioning itself as an attractive destination for investment in agribusiness. GIRSAL’s participation in the 2026 Fruit Logistica, he concluded, reflects Ghana’s broader ambition to build a competitive, inclusive, and export-oriented agribusiness sector capable of driving employment, foreign exchange earnings, and sustainable economic growth.
Story: Kakale Adams
