The Canada Ghana Chamber of Commerce (CanCham) will host its 2026 CEOs’ Connect on Thursday, August 20, at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City. This event will gather Ghana’s top capital market, investment, and trade leaders. The forum aims to help Ghanaian and Canadian companies raise capital to expand beyond their domestic markets.
This year’s edition, themed ‘Financing the Future: Capital Strategies for Cross-Border Business Expansion,’ marks CanCham’s 10th anniversary. The high-level business dialogue will run from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. It occurs as the government works to reset the economy and restore investor confidence. The event also aligns with efforts to roll out the 24-Hour Economy programme.
This initiative fits into Ghana’s broader economic strategy to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and boost local business growth. Ghana has consistently sought to improve its business environment to draw in international capital. Events like CEOs’ Connect provide a direct platform for these interactions. The nation's economic recovery hinges on such private sector-led growth and capital injection.
Mrs. Edwina Atta-Sonno, CanCham CEO, stated the 2026 forum aims to deliver practical results. She noted, “Ghanaian businesses are not short of ambition; what they are often short of is the right kind of capital, structured on the right terms.” This highlights a critical challenge for many local enterprises seeking to scale up.
The event’s centerpiece will be a panel featuring heads of institutions controlling capital and investment approvals. Panelists include Abena Amoah, Managing Director and CEO of the Ghana Stock Exchange. Simon Madjie, CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, will also participate. Dr. Mary Awusi, CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, and Cynthia E. Gnassingbe-Essonam, Director of Private Sector Engagement at the AfCFTA Secretariat, are also confirmed. Calleb Osei, Country CFO of Guaranty Trust Bank Ghana, completes the panel. These individuals represent key areas like domestic capital markets, FDI promotion, export manufacturing, continental trade, and commercial banking.
Following the panel discussions, participating companies will engage in targeted business-to-business (B2B) meetings. These sessions are designed to explore partnerships, investment, and trade deals. Chamber officials emphasize that this segment has transformed CEOs’ Connect into a deal-making platform over the years. This shift from mere discussion to tangible outcomes is crucial for economic development.
Discussions will cover five key areas. These include access to capital, structured and blended finance, private equity, venture capital, and DFI funding. Cross-border joint ventures for market and technology access will also be addressed. The regulatory environment for FDI and high-growth sectors will be examined. These sectors include energy, agribusiness, technology, manufacturing, infrastructure, and fintech. The focus on these areas reflects Ghana's strategic economic priorities for growth and diversification.
The 10th anniversary of CanCham underscores a decade of economic diplomacy between Canada and Ghana. Such partnerships are vital for Ghana's integration into the global economy. The forum's emphasis on practical outcomes aims to bridge the gap between capital providers and businesses needing funding. This approach is expected to foster significant economic benefits for both nations. Decision-makers and markets will closely watch the outcomes of these B2B engagements for new investment announcements.