Ghana is set to leverage the global attention surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup to attract foreign investment through a series of business forums and exhibitions in Canada and the United States.
The initiative, dubbed the Invest Ghana Business Forums and Exhibitions, is being jointly organized by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), and the Ghana Export-Import Bank (Ghana Exim Bank). The events will take place in Montreal, Toronto, and Philadelphia.
According to the organizers, the engagements are designed to convert the heightened international visibility of the World Cup into investment opportunities, strategic partnerships, and foreign direct investment inflows into key sectors of Ghana’s economy.
The forums will showcase Ghana’s flagship development initiatives, including the Big Push Agenda, the 24-Hour Economy policy, and the Volta Economic Corridor Project. Investment opportunities in sectors such as energy, agribusiness, manufacturing, mining and minerals value addition, the digital economy, healthcare, tourism, and real estate will also be highlighted.
As part of the programme, GEPA will inaugurate its first Ghana Trade House in Philadelphia, a move aimed at strengthening Ghana’s export presence in the United States and creating new opportunities for promoting Made-in-Ghana products and services.
Senior government and agency officials expected to participate include GIPC Chief Executive Officer Simon Madjie, GEPA Chief Executive Officer Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, GFZA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mary Awusi, Ghana Exim Bank Chief Executive Officer Sylvester Adinam Mensah, the Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, as well as representatives of Ghana’s diplomatic missions, trade associations, businesses, and investors.
The initiative aligns with Ghana’s medium-term development agenda focused on industrialisation, infrastructure development, value addition, and job creation. Organisers say the goal is to ensure that the benefits of the engagements extend beyond the World Cup tournament itself.
Speaking on the significance of the forums, Mr Madjie said the engagements are expected to enhance Ghana’s international investment profile, deepen investor interest in viable projects, increase diaspora participation, and support sustained post-World Cup investment promotion efforts. He urged Ghanaians in the diaspora, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and strategic partners to actively participate and help showcase Ghana’s opportunities to the world.
Mr Arthur described the opening of the Ghana Trade House as a strategic step toward expanding Ghana’s trade footprint in one of the world’s largest markets.
“This is more than the opening of a physical trade space; it is the creation of new opportunities for Ghanaian businesses to compete, connect, and grow in one of the world’s most dynamic markets,” he said.
Dr Awusi noted that the World Cup presents Ghana with a unique opportunity to translate global attention into tangible investment outcomes.
“Through the Invest Ghana Business Forums, we are showcasing the strength of Ghana’s free zones programme and the country’s readiness to support export-oriented industries, industrial transformation, and long-term investor partnerships,” she said.
Mr Mensah added that the engagements would help unlock new opportunities for Ghanaian businesses, strengthen investor confidence, and support the growth of value-added exports.
Organisers believe the coordinated effort, which brings together investment promotion, trade development, export expansion, and industrial facilitation, will enhance Ghana’s visibility among global investors and help secure lasting partnerships during and beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They expect the initiative to convert international interest into concrete investment deals while strengthening Ghana’s reputation as a preferred destination for business, trade, and long-term capital.
