Ghana Scraps Capital Requirements to Attract UK Investors

Ghana has eliminated mandatory minimum capital requirements for foreign companies, a move designed to deepen investor protection and position the country as a prime destination for British and global investment. Simon Madjie, CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), announced this significant policy shift at the Ghana-UK Investment Summit in London.

This decision forms a central part of Ghana’s new investment framework. The country seeks to dismantle operational bottlenecks, improve legal certainty, and present attractive opportunities across its high-growth economic sectors. The GIPC noted Ghana’s focus on strengthening long-term strategic partnerships with the United Kingdom, building on existing bilateral trade of £1.6 billion in 2025 and over £6.85 billion in cumulative foreign direct investment since 1994.

Ghana’s economic strategy relies on strong demographic fundamentals and a growing market. The population is projected to increase from 34 million to 50 million by 2050, creating substantial domestic consumer demand. This growth positions Ghana as a gateway to the wider regional market, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Mr. Madjie emphasised that the President and the Minister for Trade have championed the removal of the minimum capital requirement. He further explained that a new investment law also includes provisions for citizenship by investment. This pathway allows individuals to acquire citizenship under specific rules and regulations through their investments.

The revised legal framework also enhances the investor grievance mechanism, offering stronger protections and clearer processes for resolving disputes. Simultaneously, the new law places explicit obligations on investors. These include adherence to human rights, environmental protection, and local labor standards. Additionally, the framework increases operational flexibility for foreign firms, raising automatic investment quotas for foreign employees from four to up to twelve designated slots.

Ghana’s active Bilateral Investment Treaty with the UK provides further assurance to investors. This treaty guarantees national treatment and most-favoured-nation status. It also offers structured protection against political risks, including safeguards on expropriation, compensation, and subrogation. A Double Taxation Agreement ensures corporate earnings are not taxed twice between Ghana and the UK.

Beyond legal reforms, Ghana is targeting frontier sectors such as fintech, artificial intelligence, and digital assets. Other focus areas include climate finance, clean energy, regulated medical cannabis, and critical minerals. The country has enacted its first Digital Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers law, establishing a legal framework for blockchain operations and cryptocurrency platforms. Ghana's fintech ecosystem is valued at nearly GHS 600 billion, supported by 26 million active electronic money customers.

Ghana is also actively participating in carbon markets, with an operational carbon registry and verified protocols under Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement. This framework could mobilise up to GHS 13.9 billion in international climate financing by 2030. The country's energy transition plan, targeting 2070, is expected to attract GHS 7.1 trillion in cumulative investments and create 1.4 million green jobs across various renewable energy sectors.