Fact Sheet

Ghana’s energy sector is among the most liberalised and fastest-growing in West Africa, with high electrification coverage and increasing investment in renewable energy generation.

Investment Opportunities

• Large-scale and distributed solar projects
• Renewable energy infrastructure
• Mini-grid and embedded generation projects
• Waste-to-energy solutions
• Hydropower and hybrid renewable projects
• Public-Private Partnership (PPP) opportunities

Sector Incentives

• Feed-in tariffs for renewable energy projects
• Net metering framework
• Import duty exemptions on renewable energy equipment
• Renewable Energy Fund support initiatives

Fact Sheet

Ghana is the largest gold producer in Africa and one of the leading mining destinations globally, with strong reserves of gold, bauxite, manganese, and emerging lithium opportunities.

Investment Opportunities

• Gold mining expansion projects
• Lithium and green minerals
• Iron and steel development
• Bauxite and aluminium value chain projects
• Downstream mineral processing industries

Sector Incentives

• Tax holidays for mining companies
• Customs and VAT exemptions on equipment
• Reduced royalty structures
• Long-term stability agreements for large investments

Fact Sheet

Ghana’s growing urban population and expanding economy continue to drive demand for infrastructure, housing, transport, logistics, and commercial developments.

Investment Opportunities

• Affordable and middle-income housing
• Commercial office developments
• Hotels and mixed-use developments
• Highway and bridge projects
• Railway expansion and logistics infrastructure

Sector Incentives

• Import duty exemptions on selected materials
• Tax incentives for affordable housing developments
• Public-Private Partnership opportunities
• Access to infrastructure financing support

Fact Sheet

Agriculture remains one of the largest contributors to Ghana’s economy and employment, with strong export potential across cocoa, cashew, palm oil, fisheries, and agro-processing.

Investment Opportunities

• Cocoa processing and value addition
• Cashew processing
• Palm oil refining
• Rice and maize processing
• Irrigation and aquaculture projects
• Livestock and poultry production

Sector Incentives

• Tax holidays for agro-processing businesses
• Import duty exemptions on agricultural machinery
• Reduced corporate tax incentives
• Free Zones export incentives

Fact Sheet

Ghana is positioning itself as a growing automotive assembly and distribution hub in West Africa, supported by the Ghana Automotive Development Policy.

Investment Opportunities

• Vehicle assembly plants
• Electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure
• Auto parts manufacturing
• Spare parts distribution centres
• Fleet management and vehicle financing services

Sector Incentives<

• Import duty exemptions on SKD and CKD kits
• Corporate tax exemptions for registered assemblers
• Export incentives under Free Zones regulations
• Incentives for local manufacturing and assembly

Fact Sheet

Manufacturing is a key pillar of Ghana’s industrialisation agenda, supporting exports, urban employment, and regional trade integration.

Sector Incentives

• Manufacturing tax holidays
• Import duty exemptions on machinery and raw materials
• Free Zones tax exemptions
• Government-supported industrial initiatives

Overview

The Registrar General’s Department (RGD) is responsible for business registration in Ghana. Businesses are also required to register with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for tax purposes and obtain relevant permits and regulatory approvals depending on the nature of the business.

Most registration processes can now be completed through the Ghana.gov online platform, although some sector-specific approvals may still require additional regulatory processes.

Registration Process

1. Reserve a company name through the Registrar General’s Department (RGD).
2. Prepare and submit incorporation documents and required identification documents.
3. Obtain Certificate of Incorporation and Certificate to Commence Business.
4. Register for Tax Identification Number (TIN) with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
5. Register for VAT and other applicable tax obligations.
6. Register with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) where applicable.
7. Obtain business operating permits from the relevant Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assembly (MMDA).
8. Register employees with the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
9. Obtain any sector-specific regulatory approvals where required.

Registration Steps

1. Apply and pay for registration.
2. Obtain Limited Liability Partnership registration approval.

Labour Market Overview

Ghana offers access to a large English-speaking workforce with skilled and semi-skilled professionals across multiple sectors.

The labour market is supported by Ghana’s Labour Act, 2003, which provides the legal framework for employment, contracts, working conditions, and labour relations.

Expatriate Employment

Expatriates may work in Ghana subject to obtaining valid work and residence permits under Ghanaian immigration regulations.

Companies registered and approved to operate in Ghana may recruit expatriates for specialised roles where qualified local expertise may not be available.

The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) supports qualifying investors in acquiring work permits for expatriate employees under applicable investment arrangements.

Employment Regulations

Employment regulations in Ghana are governed primarily by the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), covering wages, working conditions, leave entitlements, health and safety, non-discrimination, and employment contracts.

Free Zones Programme

Ghana’s Free Zones programme supports export-oriented industries through designated industrial parks and investment zones that provide strategic access to ports, infrastructure, logistics services, and investment incentives.

The programme is regulated by the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) and supports sectors including manufacturing, agro-processing, logistics, technology, energy, and industrial production.

Location

Tema, Greater Accra Region

Overview

Tema Export Processing Zone is Ghana’s largest and most established industrial and export processing zone, located near Tema Port and within close proximity to Accra.

Focus Areas

• Agro-processing
• Textiles and apparel
• Automotive manufacturing and assembly
• Packaging and plastics
• Logistics and warehousing
• Green energy and industrial manufacturing

Key Advantages

• Direct access to Tema Port
• Strong transport and logistics infrastructure
• Access to skilled labour and administrative services
• Established industrial ecosystem

Location

Sekondi, Western Region

Overview

Sekondi Export Processing Zone supports industries linked to Ghana’s oil, gas, logistics, and transport sectors and benefits from proximity to Takoradi Port and offshore energy infrastructure.

Focus Areas

• Petrochemicals
• Oil and gas services
• Warehousing and logistics
• Cargo and bulk handling

Key Advantages

• Access to Takoradi Port
• Proximity to offshore oil and gas operations
• Access to Free Zones investment incentives

Location

Boankra, Ashanti Region

Overview

Ashanti Technology Park is being developed as a technology and light-industrial park integrated with the Boankra Inland Port project to support regional trade and logistics.

Focus Areas

• ICT and technology services
• Light industrial manufacturing
• Warehousing and logistics
• Biotechnology development

Key Advantages

• Strategic inland logistics location
• Support for technology and industrial diversification
• Integration with regional transport infrastructure

Location

Western Region

Overview

Shama Export Processing Zones are focused on downstream oil and gas activities, heavy industry, and export-oriented industrial operations.

Focus Areas

• Oil and gas
• Petrochemicals
• Shipbuilding
• Heavy manufacturing

Key Advantages

• Coastal industrial access
• Proximity to Takoradi Port
• Strategic location for export-focused heavy industries

Incentives

• Tax exemptions
• Duty exemptions
• Work permit facilitation
• Protection and repatriation of profits
• Customs and excise exemptions on imported machinery and equipment
• Preferential tax treatment for export-oriented businesses

Air Transport

Kotoka International Airport (ACC), located in Accra, serves as Ghana’s main international airport and one of the leading aviation hubs in West Africa.

Port Infrastructure

Tema Port is Ghana’s largest and busiest seaport and serves as a major gateway for imports, exports, logistics, and industrial trade activities within the region.

Takoradi Port supports Ghana’s mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, and export industries and plays an important role in industrial and offshore logistics operations.

Regional Connectivity

Ghana’s strategic location along the Gulf of Guinea and its transport infrastructure continue to support regional trade, logistics, manufacturing, and investment activities across West Africa.

Overview

Ghana is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), providing businesses with access to a regional market across West Africa.

Key Benefits

• Access to regional trade markets
• Promotion of economic integration
• Support for regional movement of goods and services
• Opportunities for cross-border trade and investment

Overview

Ghana hosts the headquarters of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single African market for goods and services.

Key Benefits

• Access to a continental market of over 1.3 billion people
• Increased regional trade opportunities
• Reduced trade barriers across participating African countries
• Support for manufacturing, exports, and regional supply chains

AfCFTA Secretariat

Ghana hosts the headquarters of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), reinforcing the country’s position as a strategic trade and investment hub within Africa.

Overview

Ghana is a member of the African Union (AU), supporting continental cooperation, regional integration, and economic development initiatives across Africa.

Key Benefits

• Regional economic collaboration
• Support for infrastructure and development initiatives
• Promotion of trade and investment cooperation

Overview

Under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), selected Ghanaian exports benefit from preferential duty treatment in several international markets, including Japan and other developed economies.

Key Benefits

• Preferential market access
• Reduced import duties on eligible products
• Enhanced export competitiveness

Overview

Ghana benefits from trade arrangements that support preferential access for selected exports into international markets.

Key Benefits

• Trade preference arrangements
• Support for export-oriented industries
• Improved access for agricultural and industrial products

Overview

Several Japanese companies currently operate in Ghana across sectors including automotive manufacturing, energy, logistics, technology, transportation, machinery, and consumer goods.

The presence of Japanese businesses in Ghana reflects the country’s growing attractiveness as a regional investment and trade destination in West Africa.

Companies Operating in Ghana

• Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
• Mitsui & Co.
• Marubeni Corporation
• Sumitomo Corporation
• MODEC
• NTT
• Sanyo Foods
• Hitachi Construction Machinery
• Seiko Epson
• Toyota Tsusho Manufacturing Ghana (TTMG)

Key Areas of Activity

• Automotive assembly
• Energy and oil & gas
• Construction and mining equipment
• Technology and communications
• Logistics and transportation
• Food manufacturing and processing

Overview

Ghana continues to be one of West Africa’s leading export economies with strong performance across natural resources, agriculture, energy, and industrial products.

Main Export Products

• Gold
• Crude Petroleum
• Cocoa Beans
• Manganese Ore
• Cocoa Paste

Key Export Destinations

• Switzerland
• United Arab Emirates
• India
• South Africa
• China

Overview

Ghana’s export sector benefits from access to international markets across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, supporting continued trade and investment growth.

Main Import Products

• Refined Petroleum
• Vehicles
• Rubber Footwear and Plastics
• Pesticides and Agro-Chemicals
• Rice and Cereals
• Cement Clinkers

Key Import Partners

• China
• Netherlands
• India
• United States
• Russia

Overview

Ghana maintains strong international trade relationships with major global economies, supporting industrial development, infrastructure growth, manufacturing, and commercial activities across the country.

Opportunities

• Attract investments from international auto-manufacturing firms to establish vehicle assembly plants to produce for domestic and regional markets.
• Establish an Auto Assembly Park as an industry cluster within the Greater Kumasi Special Economic Zone to manufacture vehicle components and spare parts.

Toyota, Volkswagen, Nissan, and Sinotruk have currently established Assembly Plants in the country.

The size of global demand (imports) of clothing and apparel is significant. Europe’s apparel import market was valued at $210.9 billion in 2019, growing at an average rate of 5% a year. Meanwhile, the value of U.S. apparel imports reached $83,822 million in 2019. Both markets are supplied mainly by producers in China, Bangladesh, India and Vietnam.

Ghana can take advantage of these markets based on existing trade agreements, geographical location and the relatively competitive Labour cost structure.

Opportunities

• Attract investors to establish large-scale and medium sized garment factories to produce for domestic and export markets.
• Attract investments in the production of raw materials such as cotton and silk.
• Promote investments in the production of accessories (buttons, labels, zippers) for the garment industry.

Ghana is the 2nd most vibrant Pharmaceutical manufacturing hub in West Africa. The Regional ECOWAS market for pharmaceuticals is estimated at US$5 billion. Ghana’s pharmaceutical market (est. US$600 million) is growing at a compound annual growth rate of 13.9%. (MoTI, 2019)

Currently there are about 38 registered pharmaceutical manufacturers such as Tobinco pharmaceuticals Ltd, M&G Pharmaceuticals Ltd, UniChem Ghana Limited, Kina pharma, Ernest Chemist Limited etc.

Opportunities

• Investments in a Pharma Park (consisting of manufacturing facilities, logistical and support services, incubation, research and development hub among others)
• Investment in manufacturing plants such as bacterial and viral vaccine production facilities that meet Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Standards
• Local production supplies of essential medicines such as paracetamol (currently 33% of national requirements is being produced in Ghana)

• Investment in fabrication of hand tools and machinery
• Investment in jewelry production
• Processing of animal hides for leather belt, bags etc
• Production of biomedical equipment such as ultrasound devices, chemical analyzers, surgical tools/tables, defibrillators

The discovery of oil and gas o the shore of Ghana in 2007, with oil production starting in 2010 and gas production in 2014, changed the country’s economic outlook for years to come. In 2018, Ghana ranked 38th on the list of the world’s largest oil producers and 35th for proven oil reserves, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

There are numerous business opportunities through the acquisition of exploration and production licenses. In the exploration and commercialization areas which include gas infrastructure, LNG supply services and consultancy services

• The development of research centers
• Crude oil refining
• LPG storage and refilling depots
• Constructing petrochemical and bitumen plants
• Bulk road vehicles and supply vessels
• Hydro-treaters, quality systems, biofuel value chain, compressed gas facilities
• Oil refinery and distribution
• Manufacturing by-products from oil and gas
• Manufacturing chemical inputs and accessories for the petroleum industry

The industrial park concept could take any shape and form depending on the business module of a given park developer and investment decision of the park developer. It could either be a multipurpose industrial park, sector specific zones or special economic zones. Government is considering creating sector specific industrial parks for sector specific industrial parks for essential products and services.

• Agric-Processing Park(s)
• Pharmaceutical Park(s)
• Automobile & Vehicle Assembly Park(s)
• Textiles, Garment and Apparel Park(s)
• Petrochemical Park(s)
• Food Processing Zones
• Information Technology Park(s)
• Equipment and Electronic Park(s)

Commercial agriculture & agro-processing: Ghana’s potential with respect to commercial agriculture and agro-processing are largely untapped, and can be actualized with good policies, sustained public-private investment and strong public-private partnerships backed by transparent procedures and processes along the entire value chain.

Ghana’s mining industry revolves mainly around gold, manganese, bauxite and diamonds, gravels, granite, and limestone, among others. There are more than 20 mining companies operating in the country including Newmont Ghana and AngloGold Ashanti, employing around 20,000 people in Ghana.

Opportunities for the Mining Sector

production of industrial minerals for local and international consumption, application, and processing of industrial minerals in the areas of construction, ceramics, paints, electronics, filtration, plastics, glass, detergents, and paper.

Ghana is rapidly gravitating towards the adoption of technology with the quest of digitizing all major sectors of its economy. The country needs more ICT facilities and infrastructure on a broad scale across the nation. Investments are needed in the provision of software for the country, extension of the broadband network to reach the whole country and to provide computer access to rural students.

Ghana seeks technological and other support-related services such as:

Education in software development, networking, VSAT, telecommunication and IT engineering Production of business solutions (software and networking services) Business Processing Outsourcing Supply of high tech telecommunication equipment Back 0ffoce operations (especially for financial institutions) Provision of broadband facilities and services Transaction processing E-commerce and legal database services Logistics management services and medical transcription services.

Although Ghana’s rapid economic growth has brought along increased spending on health, government investments have not been sufficient to cope with the rising demand for healthcare. Private spending has historically represented a significant part of total health expenditure. Even though it has declined in recent years, health insurance coverage is unsatisfactory and poverty plagues access to health care.

World Bank data shows that tourism in Ghana, with its significant revenues, especially high-end leisure and ecotourism creates jobs and community income. Investment opportunities exist across a wide range of areas such as:

• Tourist accommodation and road-side services
• Tourist information shops Tourist transport services
• Tourist travel services Tourism financial services such as credit card agents, foreign exchange bureau
• Tourism medical services
• Food and entertainment: restaurants, casinos, amusement parks
• Leisure and sports: world-class golf courses, sport fishing, marinas for yachting, theme parks Shopping: souvenir shops, shopping centers and supermarkets.

Current strategic 24-Hour policy is the implementation roadmap towards industrialization at the district and National level. As a result of the policy key incentives have emerged as incentives toward economic and industrial transformation.

Some of Ghana’s most important manufacturing industries include:

Electronics, vehicle assembly, bolts & nuts manufacturing, food processing, cement production, glass making, steel and aluminum, textiles, industrial chemicals and pharmaceuticals, poultry feed, food packaging, wood products, ceramics, rubber products such as surgical gloves, cocoa liquor and powder, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, oil-palm & coconut oil, charcoal briquettes, rice milling, poultry,cosmetics, potassium ash, gas cylinders, industrial starch, cocoa processing, shea butter, cashew, tuna,value addition to minerals such as gold, industrial salt, among others.

Ghana generated a total export value of USD 2.1b from the export of cocoa beans, cocoa shells, cocoa paste, cocoa butter, and chocolates in FY2020. 60% of this total revenue was generated from the export of unprocessed cocoa beans, which commands lower prices as compared to processed products on the world market. Ghana’s cocoa industry is regulated by a state-owned board, Ghana Cocoa Board. Ghana Cocoa Board has a monopoly, through its subsidiary Cocoa Marketing Company, over the marketing of Ghanaian cocoa beans

Key Players in the Cocoa Processing Sector in Ghana are:

Cargil, Olam, Niche, Plot Enterprise Ghana Limited, Barry Callebaut, 57 Chocolate, Golden Tree, Cocoa Processing Company Limited, ?mama Royal Chocolate, Midunu Chocolate Ghana, BD AssociatesChocomac, AF, Nesle, Promasidor, Top Choco- Premium Spread.

• Manufacturing
  • One District One Factory
  • Bauxite, Iron ore, Gold processing
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Textiles
  • Cocoa processing
• Agriculture and Agri-business
  • Crops and Animal Production
  • Mechanized production
  • Irrigation, One Village One Dam
  • Value Addition and Processing
• Infrastructure
  • Integrative and transformative transportation, railway
  • Schools
  • Hospitals
  • Road, bridges and airports
• Tourism
  • Ecotourism
  • Culture Tourism
  • Hospitality Centers and Hotels
  • Theme parks
• Property Development (Real Estate, Housing):
  • Affordable housing,
  • luxury housing/apartments and retirement villages,
  • Industrial housing (light industrial parks, warehousing facilities)
  • Commercial housing
• Financial Services
  • Financial (International Financial Services Centre)
  • Insurance
  • Banking (Offshore Banking)
  • Leasing
  • Mortgages
• Health
  • The rich biodiversity of the country also provides an opportunity in the processing of herbal medicines.
  • The processing of pyrethrum extracts and the production of vaccines, antibiotics and vitamins also offer investment opportunities.
  • Medical waste treatment facilities: Opportunity lies in the establishment of 14 medical waste treatment facilities across the country for safe disposal of medical waste.
  • Cancer care: The Ministry of Health’s 5-year national strategy for cancer proves opportunity in the establishment of cancer care facilities around the country.
  • Improved diagnostic capability
  • High demand for laboratory analysers and medical imaging devices such as improved X-ray devices and ultrasound equipment.
• Education
  • Establishment of tertiary institutions to serve the higher education sector in Ghana.
  • Establishment of training institutions to train more teachers for the growing number of students.
  • Improvement of educational technology to enhance online learning.
  • Development of online library for digital learning.
  • Establishment of modern Technical, Vocational and Agriculture Education and Training (TVAET) Schools
  • Construction of Regional Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematical (STEM) Centres
  • Supply and installation of Science Laboratory Equipment
• ICT & Fintech:
  • Business Process Outsourcing.
  • Low-Cost technologies to connect rural communities e.g. Tv White Space solutions
  • Smart Phone devices (Low cost)
  • Building of Towers for co-location
  • Supply of High-Tech Telecommunication Equipment.
  • Internet Solution Providers

Investment Incentives

• Customs import duty exemptions for plant and machinery imported for investment within any sector of the economy
• Corporate Tax Rate of 25%
• Income tax rate applicable to a company listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange is 20%
• 25% tax rebate for companies located in regional capitals except the national capital
• Up to 50% tax rebate for companies investing outside the regional capitals