Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has made a strong pitch to Japanese investors at the Ghana Presidential Investment Forum held on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IX). The event, hosted in Yokohama, brought together global business leaders, diplomats, and high-level government officials focused on boosting African development through international investment.
In his keynote address, President Mahama highlighted Ghana’s economic resurgence, investment reforms, and strategic location as a unique platform for businesses seeking access to Africa’s 1.4 billion-person market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Ghana is not just open for business we are offering the most stable, democratic, and strategically located entry point into one of the fastest-growing economic regions in the world,” Mahama stated.
Economic Confidence Restored
Mahama outlined Ghana’s macroeconomic improvements over the past year:
Inflation dropped from 23% in 2024 to 13.7%.
The Ghanaian cedi is now one of the best-performing currencies globally.
Ghana recently received a credit rating upgrade to B‑ with a stable outlook, signaling increased investor confidence.
These strides, he said, provide a fertile ground for both foreign direct investment and public-private partnerships.
Removing Barriers to Entry
In a bid to further attract international investors, President Mahama announced that Ghana will remove minimum capital requirements for foreign businesses—particularly small and medium enterprises.
> “Whether you have $50,000 or $100 million, you should be able to do business in Ghana without bureaucratic hurdles,” he said.
Target Sectors for Investment
President Mahama invited Japanese businesses to explore opportunities in:
Automobile assembly and manufacturing
Agribusiness and agro-processing
Energy and infrastructure development
Technology and digital innovation
Japanese automotive giants Toyota and Honda already operate in Ghana, and the president urged others to follow suit, citing Ghana's pro-business environment, tax incentives, and a growing consumer base.
Strategic Infrastructure Projects
The forum also spotlighted Ghana’s commitment to infrastructure-led growth through the proposed “Big Push” agenda, which outlines a US$10 billion investment plan focused on:
Industrial parks and free zones
Agro-processing hubs
Energy infrastructure
A 24-hour economy built on digital platforms
President Mahama noted the progress of the Volta Economic Corridor and the expanded Tema Port, designed to enhance regional trade through West Africa and beyond.
Gateway to a Borderless African Market
A key theme of Mahama’s speech was Ghana’s leadership role in the AfCFTA, with the secretariat headquartered in Accra. He stressed that Ghana provides:
Duty-free access to a continent-wide market
Seamless logistics for imports and exports
Political and legal stability unmatched in many regions of Africa
Japanese investors and government officials welcomed the call. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to deepening economic ties with Ghana and supporting private sector expansion across Africa.
President Mahama’s message was clear: Ghana is positioning itself as Africa’s premier investment destination — stable, ambitious, and ready to partner with global investors in building the continent’s next economic miracle.
As TICAD IX wraps up, Ghana’s strategic vision, clear policy direction, and open-door investment reforms are expected to spur new partnerships between Accra and Tokyo in the months to come.