GEA Advances Employer Priorities at the II Ibero-African Canarias Forum

The Ghana Employers’ Association (GEA) participated in the II Ibero-African Canarias Forum (IBAFCAN) held on November 26, 2025 in Tenerife, Canary Islands. The Association contributed to a high-level panel on “Project Financing and Internationalisation towards Africa”. The forum convened policymakers, investors, and private-sector leaders from Africa, Spain, and the broader Ibero-American region to explore pathways for strengthening economic cooperation and enhancing business growth across continents.

During the panel discussion, key submissions highlighted critical financing constraints facing Ghanaian enterprises, including high collateral requirements, currency volatility, limited access to affordable export financing, and the high cost of meeting international compliance and certification standards. Attention was also drawn to gaps in audited reporting and governance structures, which often elevate perceived risk and limit the ability of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to attract international partners. Recommendations emphasized the need for improved alignment between financing instruments and the operational realities of SMEs in Ghana and across Africa.

The discussion further underscored the importance of risk-mitigation tools such as political risk insurance, partial credit guarantees, and blended finance to facilitate cross-border business collaboration. Priority sectors for enhanced cooperation were identified, including agribusiness, horticulture, manufacturing, renewable energy, ICT, and logistics. The forum reinforced the relevance of capacity support linked to financing and highlighted opportunities for deeper institutional collaboration to advance sustainable investment, competitiveness, and job creation within Ghana’s private sector.