Nat’l Tymes News Desk
GHANA is open for business and ready to attract more foreign investment, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, H.E. Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson, has assured British investors, urging them to take advantage of the country’s economic reforms and growing business opportunities.
She gave the assurance when she delivered the welcome address at the UK Investment Roadshow 2026, held at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster Bridge, London, on October 14, 2026.
The event was organised by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the British High Commission in Ghana, the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce and other partners as part of the Africa Financial Services Investment Conference (AFSIC 2026).
Mrs. Benson said the roadshow was timely, given the major changes taking place in global trade and investment. She noted that Ghana’s economic stability and ongoing reforms positioned the country as an attractive destination for investors seeking new opportunities.
She described the theme of the roadshow, “From Confidence to Capital: Unlocking the Next Wave of Growth Through Strategic Investments, Leveraging the UK-Ghana Growth Partnership,” as appropriate, stressing the need to turn investor confidence into concrete investments that would create jobs and support economic growth.
To demonstrate Ghana’s growing investment appeal, the High Commissioner cited figures showing that foreign direct investment (FDI) rose from $652 million in 2024 to $2.62 billion in 2025, representing approximately a fourfold increase in one year.
She said manufacturing recorded the highest number of new projects, with 99 projects, surpassing mining, oil and gas, and general trade.
Mrs. Sabah Benson further disclosed that the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) registered 11 new UK companies between 2025 and 2026, with total investments valued at $7.05 million.
According to her, the development reflects growing investor interest in Ghana and presents an opportunity to deepen economic cooperation between the two countries.
Trade between Ghana and the UK is estimated at £1.6 billion annually, while British investors have invested £1.8 billion in Ghana across more than 670 projects, creating over 44,000 jobs.
She also highlighted the Ghana-UK Growth Partnership Agreement for 2026 to 2028, signed in June 2026, which is supported by investment deals worth up to £215 million.
The agreements include £101 million for the Takoradi Floating Dock, which is expected to become the first commercial-scale ship repair and dry-docking facility in the Gulf of Guinea and create up to 430 direct jobs.
Other commitments include an £85 million reforestation fund and £6 million in support of Ghana’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy.
The High Commissioner said Ghana’s economic performance over the preceding 18 months had strengthened confidence in the country, pointing to a fall in inflation from 23.8 per cent in 2024 to 5.2 per cent at the end of September 2026.
She added that the economy grew by six per cent in 2025 and recorded growth of 6.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2026.
Mrs. Sabah Benson also noted that the three major international credit rating agencies—S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s and Fitch—had given Ghana positive assessments in the first half of 2026.
She assured investors that Ghana offered a stable and predictable business environment, supported by peaceful transfers of political power and laws permitting 100 per cent foreign ownership of businesses, subject to applicable legal requirements.
She further pointed to the incentives available under the free zones scheme, including duty-free benefits and a 10-year tax holiday for eligible businesses.
Ghana’s position as host of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), she said, also gives investors an opportunity to reach a wider African market of about 1.4 billion people.
The High Commissioner added that Ghana’s trade arrangements with the UK provided further opportunities for businesses seeking to expand their presence in both markets.
She also highlighted the government’s 24-Hour Economy Programme, explaining that it was designed to promote the productive use of the country’s infrastructure, human resources and natural resources to expand economic activity.
Under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, she indicated, the government was pursuing reforms to create a more favourable environment for investment and business growth.
Mrs. Zita Sabah Benson identified agribusiness, energy and the green transition, infrastructure, mining and critical minerals, the digital economy, tourism, and the creative industries as key sectors offering opportunities for investors.
She therefore urged British investors to move beyond expressions of interest and work with Ghana’s delegation to identify projects, establish timelines and turn investment proposals into practical business ventures.
“The trajectory is set, the reforms are real, and the capital awaits. Do not leave this room wondering what could have been—engage with our delegation today, secure your project timelines, and let us build the future of UK-Ghana trade together,” she urged.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
