President Mahama with other government officials after the signing ceremony
President John Dramani Mahama has signed the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Act, 2026, Act 1173, officially converting the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), into the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority, (GIPA).
The assent on marks the most comprehensive reform of Ghana’s investment regime in more than a decade.
Act 1173 repeals and replaces the GIPC Act, 2013, Act 865.
According to the new law, GIPA’s mandate has been expanded to attract, facilitate, promote and retain investment, while also supporting Ghanaian businesses to expand into regional and global markets.
The Authority has also been given stronger institutional and enforcement powers.
Key reforms under Act 1173
The new Act introduces several changes aimed at improving the ease of doing business and aligning Ghana’s laws with the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, and global best practices.
Key provisions include the removal of blanket minimum capital requirements for wholly foreign-owned firms and joint ventures, with a reduced threshold retained for trading enterprises, establishment of a One-Stop-Shop for investor services. Creation of a statutory Investor Grievance Mechanism to strengthen investor protection.
Also there will be an annual renewal of registration for all registered enterprises, an expanded expatriate quota thresholds, a statutory mandate for outward investment promotion to support Ghanaian companies abroad and provisions for citizenship-by-investment with focus on sustainable investment, technology transfer and social inclusion.
The GIPA will also serve as Ghana’s national focal institution for implementing the AfCFTA Protocol on Investment.
A Defining Moment
Chief Executive Officer of GIPA, Simon Madjie, described the transition as a defining moment for Ghana’s economy.
“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,” he said.
He added that the upgrade from Centre to Authority positions GIPA to support investors from first inquiry through expansion and reinvestment, and to market Ghana as the gateway to AfCFTA’s market of over 1.4 billion people.
Implementation
With Act 1173 now in force, all existing GIPC-registered enterprises are expected to comply with the new requirements, including annual registration renewal.
GIPA said it will issue administrative guidelines to ensure a smooth transition. Prospective investors have been urged to monitor GIPA’s website, social media channels, and the Business Regulatory and Reforms, BRR, Portal for updates.
A Business Desk Report