President John Dramani Mahama has told Japanese investors that Ghana is ready to serve as the gateway for companies seeking entry into Africa’s fast-growing market.
According to the President of the Republic of Ghana, Ghana’s political stability, economic reforms and strategic location make it the most attractive destination for investment in Africa.
Speaking at the Ghana Presidential Investment Forum in Tokyo, Japan, Mahama said Ghana’s geographical position, together with its role as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area, makes it an ideal base for Japanese investors seeking to access regional and continental markets.
He explaned, “The question is, what does Ghana have to offer? Strategic geographical location. Ghana is a country through which the meridian and the UK intersect. The two intersect in Ghana’s territory just a few kilometres from our shore.”
The President added that. “It is also the host country for the African Continental Free Trade Area. You all have heard the landmark protocol that was signed by almost 50 African countries, that allows us to export duty free, tariff free into each other’s markets.”
He explained that this offers a link to a potential market of 1.4 billion people as the Sub-regional market (West Africa) contains 400 million people, Ghana is 33 million people, and the continental market is 1.4 billion people.
The President also highlighted Ghana’s recent economic progress, noting that inflation has dropped from almost 23 percent to 13.7 percent and is projected to fall further, and the Ghana cedi which has now stabilized.
“For those of you who know the history of the Ghanaian cedi, it’s been one of the most volatile currencies in Africa. A few years back we were said to be the worst performing currency. I’m happy to announce that this year Ghana’s cedi has been the best performing currency in the world,” he said to applause.
President Mahama also shared that trade between Ghana and Japan grew by over 24% from 2020 to 2024. He urged Japanese businesses to look beyond traditional trade and consider long-term partnerships in automotive manufacturing, agribusiness, energy, and digital innovation.
He said, “Japan has a compalative advantage when it comes to automobile manufacturing and using the opportunity to be able to export it to not only our Sub-region but into Africa, then Ghana becomes a good place for local assembling of automotive products.”
He added, “Ghana has a comparative advantage when it comes to agriculture and agri-business in terms of available arable lands, in terms of sunshine. in terms of water.”
Mahama further stressed that the government had reviewed the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act to lower barriers for entry.
“In the reviewed Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, we are removing those minimal capital investments. This will enable any investor, however little money you have, USD100,000, USD50,000, to be able to come in and set up a business in Ghana” he announced.
Mahama also pointed to Ghana’s 24-hour economy policy as a means of driving competition, noting that we are building a productive system where businesses can operate around the clock, boosting exports and competitiveness.
Mahama urged Japanese businesses to turn their attention to Africa’s emerging markets, stressing that the continent presents many opportunities for partnerships and growth.
“Africa is the next frontier for investment. Most parts of the world are saturated when it comes to investment. Africa is opening up, growing, and is a place that Japan should be looking at. And so let us marry Japanese precision with Ghanaian potential and create a win-win situation for ourselves,” he said.
He added, “We are open for business 24 hours a day, and at this decisive moment in our history, we’re working towards the economic transformation of Ghana.”
President Mahama is in Japan as part of a two-nation official visit to Japan and Singapore aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and investment links and advancing cooperation on shared development priorities.
