Infotech Fair 2021 - Ghana’s technology: An export commodity

Submitted by Jessica Delali Katsekpor

In collaboration with the Accra Digital centre, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) organized an Infotech Fair, the very first of its kind in Ghana. The objective of the fair was to exhibit Ghana’s emerging IT industry as well as innovative,economic and social solutions being created by indigenious Ghanaian startups and established companies. The fair sought to present an opportunity for investors around the world to make good use of the prospects in the Fintech, Agritech, Medical Lab Tech, Manufacturing, Communication, Entertainment, Education and Research and Development sectors.

The fair was themed; Growing our own: The need to use African Tech Solutions. It was a two-day event which was held from 26th to 27th August, 2021, at the Accra Digital Centre. A total of thirty seven(37) Ghanaian Tech firms exhibited their products and services both physically and on a virtual platform as well. 

The fair commenced with an opening ceremony which was graced by the presence of the Deputy Minister for Communications and Digitization, Ama Pomaa Boateng, a representative of the Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyeremanteng and the CEO of GEPA, Dr. Afua Asabea.

In the speech from the CEO of GEPA, she noted that the services sector had the potential to achieve a revenue of $25.3 billion by the year 2029, if the available resources were mobilized or made use of. She also noted that the infotech fair was an ideal platform to create synergies through networking and partnerships to prepare Ghana’s IT professionals for services export opportunities in the African Continental Free Trade Area(AFCTA).  There were also a series of panel discussions where the panelists tackled the issue of cybersecurity and other relevant tech topics.  

The second day was dedicated fully to the exhibition of products and services.  Clouport participated in the Fair as an exhibitor. We had the opportunity to meet and interact with prospective clients as well as other industry professionals. We are working and hoping to build a lasting working relationship to effect a positive growth in the economic development of the IT industry in Ghana.