SENATE CHANCELLERY HAMBURG · AIDIA · FAIR TRADE CITY HAMBURG
Trade.Impact.Connect.
Trade starts
with the right connection.
Want to import products from Ghana to Germany, or produce locally? We'll guide you for ten weeks — free of charge, alongside 14 other entrepreneurs from the Hamburg metropolitan region, with a matching trip to Accra. Apply for one of 15 places.
FREE WEBINAR · 9 September 2026, 6:00 PM (CEST)DAYS UNTIL THE
APPLICATION DEADLINE
13 SEPTEMBER 2026
- 15
- places in the cohort
- 10
- weeks of programme
- 8
- online workshops
- 1
- week in Accra
- 0 €
- participation fee
What's in it for you
TIC strengthens fair trade relationships and sustainable supply chains between Hamburg and Greater Accra.
Trade. Impact. Connect. brings you together with entrepreneurs in Ghana so your interest turns into real trade relationships. You'll learn how international trade works in practice, build your entrepreneurial skills and find partners you can work with long term.
This free programme by the Senate Chancellery of Hamburg combines online workshops, in-person sessions and personal matchmaking. The highlight: a week in Accra where you meet your sister cohort, get to know producers face to face and take the first steps toward your own trade model.
Your path through the programme
From your application to the trip to Accra — these are the stations ahead of you.
- 00
Info webinar (optional)
9 Sep 2026
FREE
A no-strings taster: we introduce the programme and answer your questions — before you apply.
- 01
You apply
until 13 Sep 2026
LIVE
- 02
You get our response
by end of September 2026
PLANNED
- 03
In-person kickoff in Hamburg
7 Oct 2026
PLANNED
- 04
Qualification — workshops & transfer phases
Oct – Dec 2026
PLANNED
- 05
Matchmaking with the Greater Accra cohort
from Nov 2026
PLANNED
- 06
Your matching trip to Accra
29 Nov – 6 Dec 2026
SUBJECT TO FUNDING APPROVAL
- 07
In-person finale in Hamburg
13 Dec 2026
PLANNED
- 08
Phase 2
2027
IN PLANNING
It doesn't have to end there: selected tandems keep deepening their joint trade model. Timing and scope are not yet fixed.
← scroll / swipe →
There's no certificate at the end. There's a trade relationship.
What you'll take away
Your potential turns into concrete knowledge and real orders — here's what you'll walk away with.
For you in Hamburg
- Direct access to matching suppliers and buyers
- Import fit: processes, costs and customs clear — without surprises
- First test imports and support selling (retail, B2B, online)
- Practical tools: templates and checklists
Long-term for you
- Knowledge building and process reliability
- Repeat orders instead of one-off deals — predictable growth
- A stable network of mentors, alumni and partners
- More visibility for brand and location
- Fairer, resilient collaboration on equal footing
That gives you everything you need to build a scalable supply chain and partnerships that last.
Your potential partners in Greater Accra work in agri-processing, cosmetics and natural products, textiles and garments, and sustainable packaging.
Is this for you?
We're looking for 15 people with something in the works: entrepreneurs, founders or anyone with a concrete business idea who wants to bring sustainable products from Ghana to Germany and really live fair trade. If you have a diaspora background or run a women*-led business, we'd especially love to see your application.
Not based in Hamburg? Apply anyway. Most places go to participants with a Hamburg connection, but applications from outside are expressly welcome — as long as you can get to the kickoff and the finale in Hamburg on your own. You arrange your own travel.
What you bring
- You have a business, a startup or a concrete business idea
- You want to import products from Ghana to Germany or produce locally
- You are interested in fair trade and sustainable supply chains
- You can take part in the programme in English
- You can attend the in-person kickoff (7 October) and the in-person finale (13 December) in Hamburg
Based in Greater Accra?
The export cohort is recruited separately. Applications open at a later date — a dedicated page will follow. For questions in the meantime: amara@aidia-pitch.de
Aus Greater Accra?
Die Export-Kohorte wird gesondert rekrutiert. Die Bewerbungsseite folgt.
Take the first step
15 minutes, no documents, no risk — that's all your application takes.
Questions? Reach out to Amarachi Ugochukwu — amara@aidia-pitch.de
FREE WEBINAR
Want a taster first?
In a free online webinar we introduce Trade. Impact. Connect. and answer your questions about trade between Hamburg and Accra — no strings attached, and before you apply.
9 September 2026, 6:00 PM (CEST)
ALL THE DETAILS
Want the full picture?
Below you'll find the complete programme structure, your starting point and all eight workshop topics in detail. You don't need any of it to apply — read on if you want to go deeper.
HOW THE PROGRAMME IS BUILT
You work in Hamburg — and your future partners in Accra work toward you in parallel
Two cohorts, one goal: while you become import-ready here, the Accra cohort becomes export-ready. Through Matching, Trade Accelerator and Showcase you come together step by step.
Export Accelerator · Accra
Make Ghanaian SMEs market- & deal-ready for the EU/German market
Import Accelerator · Hamburg
This is where you join: we make you import-ready
- 1
Matching
You get to know your potential partner cohort
- 2
Trade Accelerator
You work together operationally ��� predictable, fast, all the way to closing
- 3
Showcase
Your case becomes visible — quality and commitments made public
WHERE THIS LEADS
By the end you'll have solid contacts in Accra, a viable supply chain and a business set up for trade between both regions.
YOUR STARTING POINT
You don't have to solve these hurdles on your own
Building a supply chain is complex: many interfaces, little transparency. From intake to consumer, five typical entrepreneurial challenges are waiting for you — and we tackle every single one with you.
How you find and assess the right producers
Which EU requirements your product has to meet
How you pay securely and plan with stable costs
What import law and duties mean for you
Which certificates and papers you actually need
← wischen →
What you'll learn in eight workshops
Ten weeks, one in-person kickoff, an online workshop every two weeks — and after each topic a transfer phase where you apply what you've learned directly to your own business.
Two dates to keep free: the kickoff on 7 October and the finale on 13 December, both in Hamburg. You'll get the individual online-workshop dates with your acceptance.
Important for you: the programme runs primarily in English.
Ready? Your application takes 15 minutes.
To the application formYour questions, answered
How does the application work?
In five steps, from your application to the kickoff. You'll hear from us either way — even if it's not a fit this time.
- 01You fill in the online formuntil 13 September 2026
- 02We read your application and check whether the programme fits youmid-September
- 03If we have questions, we get in touch for a short conversationmid to late September
- 04You receive your response by emailby end of September 2026
- 05You start with onboarding and the kickoff in Hamburg7 October 2026
What does it cost me?
Nothing. The programme is fully funded and free of charge for you.
In which language is the programme held?
Primarily in English, including the materials. You should be able to follow the workshops and conversations in English — we don't expect perfect business English.
Do I already need to have a company?
No. A concrete business idea is more than enough. Whether you already run a business, are founding one right now or have a clear idea — apply.
How much time do I need to plan for?
An online workshop every two weeks on Wednesdays from 6 pm, plus transfer phases and selected in-person dates in Hamburg.
Can I apply from outside Hamburg?
Yes. Most places go to participants with a Hamburg connection — people who live there or have or want to build their business there. But your application from outside is expressly welcome, as long as you can get to the kickoff and the finale in Hamburg on your own; you arrange your own travel.
How much time does the trip cost me?
A full week, expected 29 November to 6 December 2026. If you come along, you should keep that week free.
Is the matching trip confirmed?
It is planned and budgeted as the highlight, but remains subject to funding approval. As soon as we have clarity, you'll be the first to know.
What happens after December 2026?
It doesn't have to end there for you: Phase 2 with deeper tandem work is in planning. Timing and scope are not yet fixed.
Share the application call
Scan the QR code to open the form directly
Who runs the programme?
TIC is implemented by two organisations that have been advancing diaspora-led entrepreneurship and fair trade in Hamburg for years.
Implementation & programme lead
AiDiA strengthens Afro-German and African entrepreneurship, connects diaspora founders and supports them from idea to market entry. For TIC, AiDiA brings its community network between Hamburg and Ghana and runs the programme delivery.
aidia-africa.comImplementation & fair trade
The Fair Trade City Hamburg initiative promotes fair trade and sustainable supply chains across the city. It contributes expertise on fair trade standards, certification and local networks to the programme.
fairtradestadt-hamburg.dePartners & funders
