The Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG), in collaboration with the Africa Entrepreneurs Alliance, is set to host its 2026 Annual Conference on Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8, 2026, with a focus on unlocking investment, promoting entrepreneurship, empowering women and improving the prosperity of smallholder farmers in Ghana’s oil palm industry.
The two-day event will be held under the theme: “Transforming Ghana’s Oil Palm Industry: Unlocking the US$500 Million Investment Opportunity for Entrepreneurship, Women’s Empowerment, Smallholder Prosperity and Sustainable Growth.”
The conference seeks to draw attention to the opportunities within Ghana’s oil palm value chain and encourage greater stakeholder engagement towards building a competitive, inclusive and sustainable industry.
The investment case
Oil palm remains one of Ghana’s important agricultural commodities, supporting farming communities, processing businesses, traders and other enterprises across the value chain. However, expanding the sector’s contribution to national development will require increased investment, improved productivity, stronger processing capacity and greater opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
The conference is therefore expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to explore how investment can be mobilised to expand production, strengthen local processing, create employment and promote value addition.
Women and Smallholder Farmers at the Centre
A key focus of the conference is the role of women and smallholder farmers in transforming the industry. Women contribute at various stages of the agricultural value chain — from production and processing to trading and enterprise development — and better access to investment, markets, technology and business opportunities is expected to strengthen their participation and improve livelihoods.
Smallholder farmers, on their part, will be supported through improved production systems, market access and stronger links with processors, measures considered critical to raising productivity and ensuring that growth benefits communities across the country.
By placing entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment and smallholder prosperity at the heart of the theme, OPDAG and the Africa Entrepreneurs Alliance are positioning inclusive development alongside investment and sustainable industry growth.
Two Days of Engagement
The first day of the conference is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, beginning at 9:00 a.m., while the second day takes place on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), starting at 4:00 p.m.
The conference comes at a time when strengthening domestic agricultural production and expanding value addition remain important considerations for Ghana’s broader economic development. Organisers say it presents an opportunity to sharpen these conversations and encourage practical collaboration among industry stakeholders, entrepreneurs, investors and other institutions.
Industry participants, business leaders, development partners and the media are encouraged to take note of the event and follow the organisers’ official channels for further information.
Conference Details
- Event: OPDAG Annual Conference 2026
- Theme: Transforming Ghana’s Oil Palm Industry: Unlocking the US$500 Million Investment Opportunity for Entrepreneurship, Women’s Empowerment, Smallholder Prosperity and Sustainable Growth
- Day One: Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. | La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra
- Day Two: Sunday, November 8, 2026 | 4:00 p.m. | University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA)
- Organisers: Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG) in collaboration with the Africa Entrepreneurs Alliance