Ghana and Japan Held Business Forum in Accra Following TICAD9
On 15 January 2026, the Ghana-Japan Business Forum 2026 took place in Accra, coinciding with the visit of a ministerial-level delegation from Japan. The Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) reported that the country managed to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) worth USD 152 million during 2025. The announcement was made public by the GIPC CEO Simon Madjie, right after the Ghana-Japan Business Forum in Accra.
The FDI went to 26 projects across various sectors, including oil and gas, agriculture, and infrastructure. Over the past decade from 1994 to 2025, Ghana accumulated an FDI stock exceeding USD 1.4 billion. In 2022 alone, Japan invested approximately USD 400 million in Ghana.
Japan has been active in the development of infrastructure and modernization of agriculture in Ghana. Japan contributed USD 120 million for the expansion of Tema Port. To enhance #FoodSecurity, Japan provided USD 100 million for agricultural research and support to boost production of food crops, in particular for rice, which is deemed a staple food.
Over the years, Japan has emerged as one of the top investors in Ghana and one of the flagship projects is the Toyota vehicle assembly plant, which is planned to have a regional market reach. The Forum follows the official visit of President John Mahama to Japan in August 2025.
Japan’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayano Kunimitsu led the 68-member delegation, comprising business people and government officials representing 41 organizations. The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also marked their presence.
“We will support predictable regulation, improve coordination for investor facilitation, and strengthen aftercare so that firms already operating in Ghana can expand with confidence. When issues arise, we want them raised early and resolved quickly because delays cost jobs and confidence.”
Ghana Deputy Minister for Industry Sampson Ahi
During the Forum, the Ghanaian Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi, presented export-oriented manufacturing and local and regional value chains as sectors ripe for investment. He also underlined the government’s commitment to infrastructure building and trade facilitation. As part of its commitment to attract FDI, the Government of Ghana is ready to resolve promptly any issues that investors may encounter.
Echoing Minister Ahi, the Ghana Free Zones Authority Deputy CEO Lateef Wiredu outlined the Ghana Free Zones Scheme with a series of incentives to attract investors. Ghana has developed an excellent business climate and is an excellent springboard into the West Africa region and ECOWAS bloc. In addition to investing in a single factory, he encouraged investors to team up and create a Special Economic Zone (#SEZ) to create a whole ecosystem.
Ghana also hosts the AfCFTA Secretariat and the Chief of Staff of the AfCFTA Secretariat Livramento Rui, also attended the Forum. He underscored the huge potential of the huge single market under construction and provided an update on the status of the AfCFTA.
On the other hand, Japanese Minister Kunimitsu side expressed particular interest in manufacturing, technology and infrastructure projects. She also recalled the creation of the Africa-Indian Ocean Economic Framework at the last #TICAD2025 and reiterated Japan’s commitment and interest in Africa.