Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare Targets $12 Billion Investment Pipeline to Drive Industrial Growth and Job Creation

The Ghanaian government is moving to operationalize an investment pipeline worth nearly US$12 billion to stimulate economic production and tackle unemployment. Following the launch of the 2025 Annual Investment Report, the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, emphasized a shift toward measurable economic outcomes, aiming to transform announced capital into active businesses. This initiative builds on a successful 2025 fiscal year, which saw Ghana attract approximately US$2.62 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) across 254 new projects, reflecting a period of renewed investor confidence in the national economy.

A central metric for success in this investment drive is the projected creation of 18,748 jobs. Data from the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPC) indicates that Ghanaians are expected to fill 90.3% of these roles, with foreign nationals occupying the remaining positions. The 2025 investment landscape was characterized by strong activity in the petroleum and free zones sectors. While China led in terms of the total number of projects with 70 entries, the Cayman Islands contributed the highest overall investment value at US$500 million. Geographically, the Greater Accra Region remains the primary hub for development, hosting 143 of the registered new projects.

To sustain this momentum, the government is prioritizing strategic sectors including agribusiness, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and automotive manufacturing. Minister Ofosu-Adjare highlighted that the administration's goal is to enhance local value chains and processing capacity, particularly in agriculture, to ensure that Ghana retains a greater share of the economic value produced within its borders. Ongoing legislative reforms, such as the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Bill, are expected to further modernize the regulatory framework and improve the ease of doing business. These changes are intended to make Ghana a more competitive destination as the country seeks to capitalize on opportunities provided by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Looking ahead, the GIPC projects steady growth in FDI, with targets set at US$2.8 billion for 2026 and US$3.1 billion for 2027. To bolster international visibility and attract long-term capital, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the GIPC and the Oxford Business Group to facilitate a global investment campaign. These efforts reflect the government's broader strategy to leverage international partnerships and domestic reforms to build a resilient, production-oriented economy that generates sustainable employment for the Ghanaian workforce.