President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has used the global stage of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) to pitch Ghana as the ultimate gateway for Japanese businesses seeking to enter Africa’s fast-growing markets.
Speaking at the Presidential Investment Forum on the sidelines of the TICAD 9 Conference in Yokohama, Japan, President Mahama said Ghana’s stability, reforms, and strategic location make it a natural hub for investors targeting Africa’s 1.4 billion consumers under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Why would you want to invest in a country like Ghana?” he asked, “Because Ghana is stable, democratic, business-friendly, and a natural gateway to West Africa and the continent. We have a growing consumer market, improving macroeconomic fundamentals, and abundant opportunities for technology transfer. Simply put, Ghana is open for business – 24 hours a day.”
Economic Stability and Confidence
President Mahama used the forum to reassure investors that Ghana’s economy is bouncing back. Inflation, which spiked to almost 23% in 2024, has dropped to 13.7%, with expectations of single digits by the end of 2025.
“For those of you who know the history of the Ghanaian cedi, it has been one of the most volatile currencies in Africa. I am happy to announce that this year, Ghana’s cedi has been the best performing currency in the world.”
That, he said, was proof of Ghana’s improving fundamentals and commitment to macroeconomic stability.
Reforms to Attract Investors
Beyond stability, President Mahama unveiled reforms to the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) Act. In a move aimed at lowering entry barriers, the government is scrapping minimum capital requirements for foreign investors.
“We are removing those minimal capital investments,” Mahama said. “This will enable any investor, however little money you have; $100,000, $50,000, to be able to come in and set up a business in Ghana.”
The reform, he stressed, will allow Ghana to attract not just big-ticket projects but also small and medium-sized Japanese enterprises seeking growth abroad.
Gateway to 1.4 Billion People
Positioning Ghana as Africa’s commercial hub, President Mahama underlined the opportunities created by AfCFTA, whose secretariat is based in Accra.
“The sub-regional market is 400 million people, Ghana is 33 million, and the continental market is 1.4 billion. With AfCFTA, you potentially can export duty-free and tariff-free into 1.4 billion markets.”
He argued that Japanese firms could use Ghana not only as a local production base but also as a springboard into Africa’s wider market.
Priority Sectors: From Cars to Crops
President Mahama highlighted sectors where Japanese precision and Ghanaian potential could meet. He singled out:
Automobile assembly: Japanese brands like Toyota and Honda already assemble in Ghana, and Mahama invited others to scale up.
Agribusiness: Ghana’s arable land, water resources, and the Volta Lake could support agro-processing zones and textile manufacturing for export.
Energy: With hydro, gas, and thermal plants, Ghana produces competitively priced power and can even export excess to neighbours.
Fintech and digital innovation: A youthful, English-speaking population is rapidly driving one of Africa’s fastest-growing tech ecosystems.
“Africa is the next frontier for investment,” he told Japanese executives. “Let us marry Japanese precision with Ghanaian potential and create a win-win situation for ourselves.”
Big Push & 24-Hour Economy
Looking ahead, President Mahama outlined bold policies to transform Ghana’s infrastructure and productivity.
The $10 billion Big Push Agenda will inject $2 billion annually into roads, industrial parks, and agro-processing.
Meanwhile, his proposed 24-hour economy policy will incentivize businesses that extend operations beyond the traditional workday.
“We are embracing a bold vision anchored in our $10 billion Big Push. Together with the 24-hour economy policy, Ghana is positioning itself as Africa’s manufacturing and export hub.”
The President emphasized Ghana’s openness and readiness for partnership.
“Ghana is open for business 24 hours a day. At this decisive moment in our history, we are working towards the economic transformation of Ghana—harnessing innovation, industrialization, and regional integration to unlock the full potential of our people and resources.”
“Pilot with us. Whether in automotive, agro-processing, green transition, or digital technology—use Ghana as your hub, and together we can build prosperity.”