Ghana will host a series of “Invest Ghana Business Forums and Exhibitions” in Canada and the United States. These events aim to attract foreign direct investment and increase diaspora engagement. The target is to leverage the 2026 FIFA World Cup for enhanced global visibility.
These forums will take place in Montreal, Toronto, and Philadelphia. The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), and Ghana Export-Import Bank are jointly organising the initiative. Organizers expect these engagements to create strategic partnerships and investment pipelines for key sectors.
This initiative fits Ghana's broader economic strategy to attract global capital. Ghana competes with other nations for foreign investment, trade partnerships, and diaspora-backed funds. The country seeks to position itself as a stable and investor-ready destination. Data from the Bank of Ghana indicates foreign direct investment in Ghana reached GHS 39.5 billion in 2022. This demonstrates the country's ongoing effort to attract external capital.
Mr. Simon Madjie, CEO of GIPC, stated the forums will enhance Ghana’s international investment profile. He said they will deepen investor interest in bankable projects. Mr. Madjie also expects increased diaspora participation and stronger institutional follow-up for post-World Cup investment promotion.
The events will showcase national development priorities such as the 'Big Push Agenda' and the '24-Hour Economy.' They will also highlight the 'Volta Economic Corridor Project.' Key sectors for investment include energy, agribusiness, manufacturing, mining, and the digital economy. Other areas are healthcare, tourism, and real estate.
A significant part of the initiative includes GEPA opening its first Ghana Trade House in Philadelphia. Mr. Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, GEPA CEO, explained this move will strengthen Ghana’s export promotion efforts. It will also create a new platform for 'Made-in-Ghana' goods and services in the United States market. This trade house is expected to improve visibility for Ghanaian exporters and support market access.
Dr. Mary Awusi, CEO of GFZA, noted the World Cup offers a unique platform to connect global attention with investment opportunities. She emphasized showcasing Ghana’s free zones program and the country's readiness for export-oriented industries. Mr. Sylvester Adinam Mensah, CEO of Ghana Exim Bank, said the engagements will support enterprise growth. They will strengthen Ghana’s position in the global investment landscape.
Senior government officials, investment promotion executives, and trade agencies will attend. Business leaders, investors, and Ghanaian diaspora professionals are also expected. Representatives from Ghana’s missions abroad will participate. These actions align with Ghana’s medium-term development priorities, including industrialization, infrastructure expansion, value addition, and job creation. The organizers stressed the program is designed to yield outcomes that extend beyond the World Cup itself.