The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) is championing policy reforms and digital innovation to attract small, impact focused investors into Ghana’s small and medium enterprises (SME) sector.
Mr Abdul Razak Baba, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GIPC, said Ghana is repositioning itself as a destination for patient capital and a launchpad for SMEs seeking to scale under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He was speaking at a high level panel discussion during the 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogues in Accra, held on the theme “Empowering SMEs, Women and Youth in Africa’s Single Market: Innovate. Collaborate. Trade.”
The session assembled policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs to deliberate on Africa’s estimated 331 billion dollar SME financing gap and explore practical strategies to enhance economic integration and wealth creation across the continent.
Mr Baba noted that Ghana’s existing investment legislation, originally structured to attract large foreign direct investments, had inadvertently limited access for smaller, impact oriented investors.
He stated that these laws were well intentioned, but the minimum foreign capital requirements have effectively shut out smaller scale investors who are willing to support SMEs.
He disclosed that the GIPC is spearheading amendments to the GIPC Act to remove the minimum foreign capital thresholds, a move expected to ease entry for diaspora investors, venture capital firms and impact funds interested in Ghanaian SMEs.
Mr Baba stated that when these reforms are passed, they will send a strong signal that Ghana is open to inclusive, SME driven investment, adding that increased inflows of patient and impact oriented capital are anticipated.
He acknowledged that beyond funding constraints, many investors had raised concerns about difficulties in identifying bankable investment opportunities.
To address this challenge, Mr Baba stressed the need for a harmonized African digital investment facilitation platform to showcase credible opportunities and provide end to end matchmaking and advisory services for both SMEs and investors.
He said Ghana is leading efforts through the development of the InvestGhana Portal, a digital investment facilitation platform being built on the Centre’s ongoing Investment Opportunity Mapping Project.
According to him, a key component of the portal would be a Marketplace for Service Providers, featuring a curated list of Ghanaian transaction advisors, legal practitioners, tax consultants and accountants to support deal structuring and execution.
He explained that it is not enough to simply highlight investment opportunities, adding that investors must be connected to the right local professionals who can help structure, de risk and close transactions. He described this as full cycle facilitation.
Mr Baba also invited stakeholders to participate in the upcoming Ghana International Investment Summit (GIIS), the Centre’s flagship investor matchmaking event scheduled for later this year.
He described the summit as a premier platform for investors to engage directly with viable SME opportunities from across all 16 regions of the country.
With the proposed legislative reforms, digital platforms and the planned summit, Mr Baba said Ghana is establishing a new standard for SME investment facilitation on the continent.
He stated that AfCFTA provides the market, Ghana provides the launchpad, and these reforms give the tools. He added that the next step is connecting the right capital to the right entrepreneurs, noting that Ghana is prepared to lead that effort.
The panel discussion was moderated by Brenda Wagura, an International Trade and Investment Legal Advisor. Other panelists included Faith Chelangat, AfCFTA Specialist from Anjarwalla and Khanna Advocates, Dr Jasper Ebiekure Eradiri, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of African SMEs, Sulley Amin Abubakar, CEO of Zaacoal, Boatemaa D Barfour Awuah, CEO of Star Assurance Ghana, and Dr Wanida Lewis, Managing Director and Founder of Crescendo Foods.
The Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2026 brought together policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs to address critical challenges facing SMEs, women and youth in Africa’s integration agenda.
