President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s determination to position the country as a strategic investment destination and gateway to Africa, urging global investors and partners to seize the continent’s expanding economic opportunities.
Delivering the President’s keynote address at the Africa Business Investment Summit (ABIS) 2026 in Washington, D.C., Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Sampson Ahi (MP), said Ghana was confident in what he described as “Africa’s moment” and was ready to partner investors who shared that confidence in the continent’s future.
The summit, held at MGM National Harbor, brought together government officials, investors, development finance institutions, business executives and private-sector stakeholders to explore opportunities for investment, enterprise development and sustainable economic growth across Africa.
President Mahama said Ghana’s economic transformation agenda was being driven by reforms aimed at restoring and sustaining macroeconomic stability, expanding productive capacity, attracting investment and creating opportunities for inclusive growth.
He explained that the government’s agenda went beyond economic recovery, focusing instead on a broader transformation strategy centred on industrialisation, value addition, productivity and job creation.
Among the key initiatives highlighted at the summit was the government’s 24-Hour Economy Programme, which seeks to expand production and economic activity, create jobs and improve the competitiveness of Ghanaian businesses.
The President also highlighted the Investment Opportunities Mapping Project, designed to identify and promote viable investment opportunities across the country while helping investors make informed decisions about where to deploy capital.
President Mahama stressed Ghana’s readiness to welcome investment into strategic sectors, including energy, technology, agriculture, mining, tourism, maritime development, infrastructure and manufacturing.
Feed Ghana to drive agricultural transformation
The President also presented the Feed Ghana Programme as a major pillar of the country’s economic transformation strategy.
He said the programme would increase domestic food production, reduce dependence on imports, create employment opportunities and provide industries with reliable supplies of locally produced raw materials.
According to him, strengthening agriculture and connecting it to industrial production would help Ghana create greater value from its natural and human resources while improving livelihoods across the country.
Industrialisation and investment zones
Ghana’s industrialisation strategy was also showcased, with emphasis on the development of industrial parks and special economic zones intended to attract both domestic and foreign investment.
Among the projects highlighted were the Greater Kumasi Industrial City and Special Economic Zone, Dawa Industrial Zone and Tema Integrated Industrial Park.
These initiatives, the President said, were intended to support manufacturing, promote value addition, expand exports and enhance Ghana’s competitiveness as an investment destination.
AfCFTA presents major opportunity
President Mahama further underscored Ghana’s strategic advantage as host of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He said Ghana offered investors an opportunity to establish operations in a country positioned at the centre of Africa’s emerging single market, providing access to a continental market of more than 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP exceeding US$3.5 trillion.
The President described AfCFTA as one of the world’s most significant emerging economic opportunities, capable of connecting African markets, expanding intra-African trade and creating new opportunities for businesses to scale across borders.
He urged investors to view Ghana not merely as a destination for individual projects but as a strategic base from which to access the wider African market.
“Let history record that we did not only gather to speak about Africa’s future. We gathered to invest in it, and to build it,” Hon. Sampson Ahi said, delivering the President’s message.
Otumfuo calls for good governance
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who graced the summit, called on international investors to recognise Africa’s enormous economic potential while urging African governments to strengthen governance systems and create conditions conducive to sustainable investment.
He emphasised that good governance should not be viewed solely as a political responsibility but also as an important economic asset capable of building investor confidence, attracting capital and accelerating development.
According to the Asantehene, Africa’s ability to unlock its full economic potential would depend significantly on the strength of its institutions, the predictability of its governance systems and the creation of an enabling environment for businesses.
Ghana urges investors to invest in Africa
Welcoming participants to the summit, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Victor Smith, said investment partnerships should contribute to building an Africa where young people could find meaningful opportunities and realise their aspirations without being compelled to leave the continent in search of better prospects.
He called for partnerships that create jobs, empower Africa’s youth and contribute meaningfully to sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
The message from Ghana at ABIS 2026 was therefore unequivocal: “Invest in Ghana. Invest in Africa.”
President Mahama’s administration, through its investment, industrialisation and economic transformation initiatives, says Ghana is ready to work with global investors to unlock opportunities, create jobs and build a more competitive and prosperous African economy.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
