President John Dramani Mahama has assented to the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Act, 2026 (Act 1173). This action officially transforms the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) into the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA). The move aims to strengthen Ghana’s investment promotion framework and enhance the country’s competitiveness as a preferred investment destination.
The assent, which occurred on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s investment landscape. It expands the Authority’s mandate and strengthens its institutional and enforcement powers. The enactment of Act 1173 positions GIPA to more effectively attract, facilitate, promote, and retain investment. It also supports the outward expansion of Ghanaian enterprises into regional and global markets.
This legislative reform represents the most comprehensive overhaul of Ghana’s investment regime in over a decade. It replaces the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 (Act 865). The new framework was developed after extensive stakeholder consultations. It aligns Ghana’s investment laws with evolving global best practices, reinforcing investor confidence and improving the nation's ability to attract quality investments that support sustainable economic growth and job creation.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority, Simon Madjie, described the enactment as a defining moment. He stated, “The Authority we are building today is designed to respond to investors with the speed, transparency and consistency that global capital demands, while ensuring that the benefits of investment are shared broadly across Ghanaian communities.” Mr. Madjie added that the transition from a Centre to an Authority significantly enhances Ghana’s investment promotion capacity. It enables GIPA to provide comprehensive support to investors from initial engagement through expansion and reinvestment.
Under the new Act, GIPA becomes Ghana’s national focal institution for implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Investment. This further strengthens the country’s strategic position within Africa’s expanding single market of over 1.4 billion people. The reforms are expected to provide greater regulatory certainty, stronger investor protection, and more efficient administrative processes for international investors, multinational enterprises, development partners, and fund managers.
Major reforms introduced by Act 1173 include the establishment of a national investment promotion authority and modernization of Ghana’s investment promotion framework. It removes blanket minimum capital requirements for wholly foreign-owned enterprises and joint ventures with Ghanaian partners. A reduced threshold remains for trading enterprises. The Act also introduces a statutory Investor Grievance Mechanism to strengthen investor protection. It promotes sustainable investment, technology transfer, and social inclusion. Additionally, it requires annual renewal of registration for registered enterprises.
Further provisions include expanded expatriate quota thresholds and a statutory mandate for outward investment promotion. The Act also establishes a One-Stop-Shop and introduces citizenship-by-investment provisions. These changes align with the AfCFTA Protocol on Investment and international best practices. Existing GIPC-registered enterprises must familiarize themselves with the new statutory requirements, including the annual registration renewal regime and other transitional arrangements. GIPA will issue administrative guidance and implementation notices to ensure a smooth transition under the new legal framework. Stakeholders are encouraged to monitor GIPA’s official communication channels and the Business Regulatory and Reforms (BRR) Portal for operational guidelines and updates.