Senior Business Development Manager

We Are Hiring – (Senior) Business Development Manager | Accra, Ghana

Location: Accra, Ghana

Position: (Senior) Business Development Manager

Sector: International Trade, Investment Promotion, Business Development & Enterprise Internationalisation

Region: West & Central Africa

Key Markets: Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire & Senegal

We are currently recruiting on behalf of our client, a leading international government-linked organisation specialised in enterprise development, international trade and investment promotion, innovation, and business internationalisation, for a (Senior) Business Development Manager to join its team in Accra, Ghana.

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the organisation's activities across West and Central Africa, with a particular focus on Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.

About Our Client :

Our client is a government agency dedicated to supporting economic development, enterprise growth, international trade and investment, innovation, and the international expansion of businesses.

The organisation supports companies from its home country in accessing international markets, identifying business and investment opportunities, establishing strategic partnerships, and collaborating with local governments, companies and industry stakeholders.

With an international network of overseas centres, including offices in Africa, the organisation plays an important role in facilitating cross-border business development, market access and international partnerships.

The Accra Overseas Centre serves as an important regional hub for business engagement and market development across West and Central Africa.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Business Development & Market Intelligence

• Identify, develop and facilitate business and investment opportunities for companies entering or expanding in West African markets.
• Develop and maintain a strong pipeline of potential projects, partnerships and commercial opportunities.
• Conduct market research and analyse economic, commercial and sector-specific trends.
• Monitor the business environment and identify emerging opportunities across priority markets.
• Identify potential local partners, companies, government agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitate business introductions and business matching between international companies and local stakeholders.
• Prepare market intelligence reports, sector analyses, presentations and strategic insights.
• Organise and participate in business missions, trade missions, networking events, B2B meetings and market visits.
• Support companies with their market entry and expansion strategies.

2. Strategic Partnership Development

• Identify, establish and maintain relationships with strategic stakeholders across the region.
• Build strong networks with government agencies, business associations, industry leaders, companies, investors and institutional stakeholders.
• Develop relationships with senior-level business and government representatives.
• Contribute to engagement strategies designed to strengthen market access and regional partnerships.
• Generate leads and develop new business opportunities through strategic relationships.
• Represent the organisation at relevant business, trade, investment and institutional events.

3. Regional Business Development

The position will focus primarily on:

• Ghana
• Nigeria
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Senegal

The role may also involve engagement with other markets across West and Central Africa, depending on regional priorities and business opportunities.

The position therefore requires frequent regional travel for stakeholder engagement, business development, market research and commercial activities.

Priority Sectors :

Candidates with experience and/or established professional networks in one or more of the following sectors will be particularly valuable:

• Infrastructure
• Energy
• Transport & Logistics
• Hospitality
• Urban Solutions
• Consumer / FMCG
• Digital Innovation & Technology

Strong sector expertise combined with an established network of relevant stakeholders in West Africa will be considered an advantage.

Candidate Profile :

We are looking for a commercially minded and internationally oriented professional with experience in Business Development, International Business, Market Advisory, Consulting, Trade & Investment Promotion or a related field.

Professional Experience :

• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in Business Development, Market Analysis, Consulting, Banking, Marketing, International Business, Market Advisory or a related field.
• Experience working in an international, multinational or institutional environment is an advantage.
• Experience working with government agencies, public institutions, international organisations, multinational companies or business associations will be highly valued.
• Experience in trade and investment promotion is an advantage.
• Previous experience in West Africa, particularly in Ghana or Francophone West Africa, is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of the Nigerian, Ivorian and Senegalese markets will be an advantage.
• An established professional network across West Africa, particularly in Francophone markets, will be highly valued.

Key Skills :

• Strong Business Development and Account Management capabilities.
• Ability to identify, develop and convert commercial opportunities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to develop and manage strategic partnerships.
• Strong market research and analytical capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation and networking skills.
• Ability to produce clear and concise reports, market intelligence and presentations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently in a lean and fast-paced environment.
• Strong organisational and multitasking skills.
• Ability to interact professionally and diplomatically with senior business and government stakeholders.
• Results-oriented, proactive and resourceful approach.

Languages :

• Fluent English – essential
• Fluent French – essential

Fluency in both languages is particularly important for engagement across English-speaking and Francophone West Africa.

Working Environment :

The successful candidate will work in a highly international, multicultural and commercially focused environment, engaging with companies, government institutions, investors, business associations and senior stakeholders across the region.

The position requires:

• Strong autonomy and ownership;
• Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills;
• Ability to operate effectively across different cultural and business environments;
• Strong networking and stakeholder management capabilities;
• Willingness to travel frequently across West and Central Africa;
• Strong commercial awareness and a results-oriented mindset.

Experience working with Asian companies, governments, international organisations or trade and investment promotion agencies will be an additional advantage.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This position offers the opportunity to join an international organisation focused on enterprise development, international trade, investment promotion, innovation and global business expansion.

The successful candidate will have significant regional exposure and will contribute to the development of business opportunities, strategic partnerships, market intelligence and international business initiatives across West and Central Africa.

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