Ghana to Abolish Minimum Capital Requirements for Foreign Investors, Offers Citizenship Path- President Mahama

Ghana is implementing pro-enterprise reforms aimed at positioning the West African nation as one of the continent’s most business-friendly investment destinations, President John Dramani Mahama announced Tuesday at the Presidential Investment Forum in Beijing, China.

Speaking to a gathering of potential Chinese investors, President Mahama outlined ambitious legislative changes that will significantly lower barriers for foreign investment in Ghana.

“We are also implementing pro-enterprise reforms to make Ghana one of the most business friendly destinations in Africa,” President Mahama declared during his address at the forum.

The centrepiece of the reforms is a new Investment Promotion Authority Bill that will eliminate minimum capital requirements for foreign and joint venture investors – a move expected to attract smaller and medium-scale investors who were previously excluded by capital thresholds.

Perhaps most significantly, the legislation will establish “a clear path for long-term investors to qualify for Ghanaian citizenship,” President Mahama announced, describing this as “a symbol of trust and belonging.”

This citizenship pathway represents approach to foreign investment attraction, offering permanent residency and eventual citizenship to committed long-term investors – a rare incentive among African nations.

The President also highlighted modernization of Ghana’s Public-Private Partnership frameworks, promising “faster, fairer and more transparent approvals of applications” for investment projects.

These reforms come as Ghana leverages its position as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area secretariat, providing investors with “direct access to a $3.4 trillion single market and over 400 million consumers through the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme,” according to President Mahama.

Emphasizing Ghana’s competitive advantages, President Mahama pointed to the country’s track record of political stability as a key investor protection.

“Above all, our democratic stability that has been uninterrupted for more than 30 years is the strongest guarantee of investor confidence,” the President stated.

The Presidential Investment Forum in Beijing is part of Ghana’s broader strategy to attract Chinese investment and technology transfer, particularly in infrastructure, manufacturing, and digital sectors.