The New Investment Regime of Ghana: Key Changes Under the GIPA Act, 2026 (Act 1173)
Overview
Ghana has enacted the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Act, 2026 (Act 1173), repealing Act 865 and replacing the GIPC with the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA). This reform modernises foreign direct investment, lowers market-entry barriers, and aligns the regulatory framework with the AfCFTA.
Key Highlights:
- Elimination of Blanket Minimum Capital: Removed the statutory entry capital requirements (formerly US$200,000 for joint ventures and US$500,000 for wholly foreign-owned businesses) across general non-trading sectors.
- Revised Trading Requirements: Foreign-owned trading capital is reduced to US$500,000 in cash equity, alongside a rule requiring at least 75% skilled Ghanaian employment.
- Tiered Expatriate Quotas: Quotas are now scaled by investment size (from 2 expatriates for investments starting at US$50,000 up to 12 for investments exceeding US$10M), provided 90% of the workforce consists of skilled Ghanaians.
- Stricter Tech Transfer (TTA) Oversight: Broadened coverage to include software and foreign trademarks; unregistered agreements are unenforceable, ineligible for bank payment remittances, and non-tax-deductible.
- Investor Protections & Dispute Mechanism: Introduces a formal Investor Grievance Mechanism with defined response timelines and escalation to the Office of the President.
- Annual Renewal & Anti-Fronting: Replaces biennial renewal with mandatory annual registration renewals and implements strict penalties and criminal liability for fronting.
- Transitional Protections: Existing registrations, quotas, tax incentives, and TTAs remain valid through their normal expiry.
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