Afua Tekyi-Mills with other Ghanaian delegation
The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) has urged Ethiopian businesses to establish operations in Ghana as a strategic entry point into the wider West African market, highlighting the country’s growing industrial base and access to regional trade opportunities.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the Ghana Business and Cultural Expo held at the Kuriftu Resort Africa Village in Addis Ababa, Afua Tekyi-Mills said Ghana remained one of Africa’s most attractive investment destinations due to its strategic location and access to both the ECOWAS sub-region and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The expo brought together investors, business leaders, policy makers and cultural stakeholders from Ghana and Ethiopia to explore opportunities for collaboration in trade, tourism, culture and investment.
Addressing participants on the theme, “Creating an Enabling Environment for Cross-Border Investment,” Ms. Tekyi-Mills outlined the procedures Ethiopian businesses could follow to establish operations in Ghana.
She advised prospective investors to first define their business objectives and determine their preferred mode of entry, including trading, manufacturing, joint ventures or export-oriented production.
“At this stage, I would encourage them to engage GIPC early because GIPC can provide investment information, sector guidance, project profiles and advice on relevant incentives,” she said.
According to her, businesses would then be required to register with the Office of the Registrar of Companies before proceeding with GIPC registration for enterprises with foreign participation.
She added that sector-specific licences and approvals would also be necessary depending on the nature of the investment.
Ms. Tekyi-Mills noted that Ghana’s investment regime had been designed to support long-term business growth through legal protections, incentives and investor facilitation services.
She explained that agro-processing companies could benefit from concessionary corporate tax rates during their first five years of operation, while manufacturing firms operating outside Accra and Tema also enjoyed reduced tax rates aimed at promoting regional industrialisation.
She further disclosed that strategic investments valued at US$50 million and above could qualify for customised incentives under Ghana’s Exemptions Act.
The GIPC official stressed that Ghana continued to maintain strong investor protection mechanisms, including guarantees against expropriation, access to dispute resolution systems and the free repatriation of profits.
She added that GIPC also provided investors with advisory services, technology transfer registration, aftercare support and grievance resolution mechanisms.
Highlighting areas for immediate cooperation between Ghana and Ethiopia, Ms. Tekyi-Mills identified agro-processing, textiles, garments, logistics and specialty food trade as sectors with strong growth prospects.
She said Ghana could export cocoa products, shea butter and processed foods, while Ethiopia could contribute coffee, spices, sesame and expertise in garment manufacturing.
“This is an opportunity to build a stronger West Africa and East Africa business corridor using sectors where both countries already have complementary strengths,” she said.
Ms. Tekyi-Mills expressed optimism that the Ghana Business and Cultural Expo would deepen commercial ties between the two countries and open new opportunities for African businesses under the AfCFTA framework.
A Business Desk Report