The role of smart incentives in enhancing agribusiness growth in Northern Ghana

This report explores MEDA’s use of smart incentives in the GROW2 project to support agribusinesses in Northern Ghana’s soybean, groundnut, and vegetable value chains. Through matching grants and innovation funds, 10 businesses - most women-led - saw increased production, higher revenues, new jobs (particularly for women), and stronger market linkages within a year.

Smart incentives are defined as time-bound financial and non-financial tools that address market barriers and encourage desired behaviours, especially among women and youth. The report highlights the importance of pairing incentives with business training, market access support and gender inclusion programming.

Lessons include the need for better supply chains, after-sales services and financial access.

The report stresses that incentives should be targeted, transparent,and designed to generate sustainable, market-driven change without distorting local systems.