Trade relations between Ghana and Sweden recorded significant growth in 2025, with bilateral imports and exports reaching their highest levels in three years.
Data from Trading Economics show that Ghana’s exports to Sweden were valued at US$3.07 million, while Swedish exports to Ghana reached US$86.3 million during the year. The figures represent the strongest trade performance between the two countries since 2022.
As Ghana and Sweden seek to deepen their commercial ties, the need for a dedicated space where investors and entrepreneurs can work, network and establish lasting business relationships has become increasingly important.
Against this backdrop, Nickie Akosa, Sweden’s Honorary Consul to Ghana, has established BaseNord, a purpose-built facility designed to support startups and connect businesses with potential investors and partners in Ghana, Sweden and other Scandinavian countries.
Located in the East Legon neighbourhood of Accra, BaseNord offers dedicated co-working spaces, private offices, meeting rooms and virtual office solutions, alongside essential amenities for entrepreneurs and investors.
Ms Akosa said the facility was developed partly in response to the challenges facing startups in Ghana, particularly the difficulty of finding professional and conducive working environments.
She noted that many early-stage businesses struggle to secure spaces that provide the peace of mind and facilities needed to operate effectively, adding that BaseNord seeks to address this gap.
Beyond offering workspace, Ms Akosa envisions BaseNord as a hub for strengthening trade relations between Ghana and Sweden. Her previous experience working with a foreign renewable energy company to establish its operations in Ghana influenced her decision to create a centre offering practical support to businesses seeking to operate in either market.
“I currently serve as the Honorary Consul of Sweden to Ghana. Before taking up this role, I worked with an organisation in the renewable energy sector and was involved in establishing their operations in Ghana. That experience taught me a great deal not only about the industry but also about what it takes for companies to successfully establish themselves here,” she said.
“You need a clear understanding and appreciation of the bureaucratic processes and the local market in order to navigate them effectively. That experience shaped my thinking, and it is precisely the kind of practical support we aim to offer investors from both countries.”
Ms Akosa said the facility would serve as a source of information, assistance and support for Ghanaian businesses seeking partners in Sweden and the wider Scandinavian region, as well as Swedish investors interested in establishing operations in Ghana.
She noted that growing interest among Swedish investors and businesses in Ghana makes BaseNord strategically important in facilitating commercial relationships between the two countries.
Through the initiative, she hopes to further strengthen bilateral trade, particularly in renewable energy, food and agriculture.