The Northern Business Fair 2025 concluded on Sunday, October 26, leaving behind a vibrant atmosphere of excitement, optimism, and renewed confidence in the entrepreneurial spirit of northern Ghana. Organized by Channel One TV and Citi FM, the two-day event at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale showcased the region’s most innovative and creative talents, from agro-processing and crafts to technology and entrepreneurship.
For many attendees, the fair was more than just an exhibition; it marked a turning point for the northern business ecosystem. It provided much-needed visibility, mentorship, and investment opportunities that have traditionally been concentrated in the southern parts of the country.
Entrepreneurs Find Opportunity and Hope
Exhibitors who participated in the fair expressed their gratitude to the organizers and partners, highlighting the unique platform that connected them with mentors, investors, and key stakeholders. Esther Naabu Krakue of Amat Solutions Company Limited shared how the experience opened doors she never imagined.
“I got an opportunity to talk to a white man who offered me free mentorship after this programme. He promised to give me my coach,” she said with excitement.
Saani Abukari of Saan One-One Wood Works also found the fair to be a breakthrough. “I got some links for a partnership to grow my business. My expectation has been met,” he remarked.
Other exhibitors, including Alhassan Tahiru Niindoo of A.T. Soul White Enterprise, Kassim Abdul Aziz of Organic Green Village, and Abdul Halim Ibrahim of Gamma Smocks, praised the organizers for bridging a gap that has long limited northern entrepreneurs.
“It’s very great. I would like to thank Channel One TV for organizing this event. They should try and do it every six months for us to have connections to grow our businesses,” Abdul Aziz suggested.
A Platform for Growth and Connection
The fair attracted hundreds of participants, including traders, investors, students, and innovators, from across the northern regions and beyond. Patrons noted that these engagements provided practical insights and direct connections to banks, agencies, and development organizations ready to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“This fair is not just about buying and selling,” said Mariam Alhassan, a participant from Savelugu. “It’s about connecting ideas, people, and opportunities. I’ve met financial institutions that explained how to access loans, and I’ve discovered new products made right here in the North.”
Abdulai Mohammed, a young entrepreneur producing organic shea-based cosmetics, highlighted the importance of partnerships. “The collaboration between the media houses, Ecobank, GEA, and other partners shows that when institutions work together, small businesses can thrive,” he said.
Driving Regional Innovation and Enterprise
The fair’s exhibitions reflected the entrepreneurial pulse of northern Ghana, featuring handwoven smocks, leather crafts, processed foods, renewable energy solutions, and locally developed digital tools. By showcasing these innovations, the event emphasized the region’s potential not only for traditional craft but also for modern industrial growth and job creation.
Organizers stated that the fair reaffirms their commitment to empowering local entrepreneurs, stimulating innovation, and boosting economic activity across northern Ghana and beyond.
Unlocking Northern Ghana’s Economic Potential
For years, major trade exhibitions have primarily taken place in Accra, leaving many talented entrepreneurs in the north without access to investors or national markets. The Northern Business Fair 2025 has started to change this narrative by bringing the marketplace home to where creativity, resources, and enterprise naturally converge.
It has also positioned northern Ghana as a new frontier for industrialization and investment, aligning with Ghana’s national agenda for inclusive growth. By linking entrepreneurs with financial institutions, development agencies, and potential mentors, the fair is laying the groundwork for a stronger local economy built on innovation, value addition, and youth enterprise.
Partnerships That Power Progress
The Northern Business Fair 2025 was supported by Channel One TV and Citi FM, with sponsorship from Ecobank, Syde Hassle, the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), and support from Kacstone Records. Together, these partners are driving a new wave of regional entrepreneurship—one that celebrates local creativity while integrating northern businesses into national and international value chains.
A Vision for the Future
As the curtains fall on this year’s edition, one message resonates across Tamale: the Northern Business Fair is not just an event—it’s a movement. It’s a movement to connect the north to opportunity, empower young innovators, and prove that the future of Ghanaian enterprise is not limited by geography.
With the success of the 2025 edition, the region is already looking forward to a bigger, more impactful fair—one that continues to unlock potential, inspire innovation, and turn the dreams of northern entrepreneurs into reality.