Mahama reaffirms Ghana’s investment drive, calls on global investors to partner in Africa’s growth

President John Dramani Mahama has emphasized Ghana's dedication to becoming a key investment location and a doorway to Africa's expansion, inviting investors and development partners to seize the continent's burgeoning possibilities. At the Africa Business Investment Summit (ABIS) 2026 in Washington, D.C., on behalf of the President, Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Sampson Ahi (MP) reiterated Ghana's belief in "Africa's moment" and its willingness to cooperate with investors who share optimism for the continent's future.

The summit, hosted at MGM National Harbor, convened government officials, investors, development finance institutions, business leaders, and private-sector stakeholders to discuss investment prospects, enterprise growth, and sustainable economic development across Africa.

Mahama highlighted Ghana's economic rejuvenation agenda, centered on reforms to enhance macroeconomic stability, expand productive capacity, attract investment, and foster inclusive growth. The government's vision extends beyond recovery to a more extensive transformation driven by industrialization, value addition, productivity improvement, and job creation.

Notable initiatives showcased at the summit included the government's 24-Hour Economy Programme and the Investment Opportunities Mapping Project, both aimed at boosting production, unlocking investment prospects, and disseminating economic activity nationwide.

Ghana's readiness to welcome investments across critical sectors such as energy, technology, agriculture, mining, tourism, maritime development, infrastructure, and manufacturing was emphasized. Additionally, the Feed Ghana Programme was presented as a cornerstone of economic transformation, aiming to bolster food production, diminish import dependence, generate employment, and supply industries with steady raw materials.

Ghana's industrialization strategy was also unveiled, focusing on the establishment of industrial parks and special economic zones, including the Greater Kumasi Industrial City, Dawa Industrial Zone, and Tema Integrated Industrial Park, which are projected to spur manufacturing growth and boost Ghana's competitiveness.

The host nation's strategic edge as the home of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat was underlined, positioning Ghana as a gateway to an expansive market of over 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP surpassing US$3.5 trillion. The AfCFTA was described as one of the world's most significant economic prospects by fostering trade integration, expanding market access, and generating fresh avenues for enterprise growth.

Deputy Minister Ahi concluded by stating, "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."

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who attended the summit, urged investors to acknowledge Africa's immense potential while encouraging African leaders to bolster governance systems and create a conducive environment for sustainable investment, stressing that good governance is both a political obligation and a vital economic asset that cultivates confidence, draws investment, and accelerates development.

Ambassador Victor Smith, representing Ghana at the United States, stressed that investment collaborations should facilitate an Africa where youth can seize opportunities and fulfill their aspirations without being forced to pursue better prospects abroad. He called for partnerships that generate employment, empower African youth, and meaningfully contribute to the continent's long-term growth and prosperity, encapsulating Ghana's message to global investors at ABIS 2026: "Invest in Ghana. Invest in Africa."