GHANA SEEKS CHINESE INVESTMENT TO BOOST AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

The Government of Ghana is actively engaging Chinese investors as part of its broader strategy to modernize and expand the country's automotive industry. This initiative aligns with Ghana's wider economic development and industrial transformation agenda.

At the China-Ghana Business Forum held in Shenzhen in September 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo extended a formal invitation to Chinese investors, encouraging them to explore opportunities in Ghana. He highlighted key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and renewable energy, and pointed to Ghana’s stable investment climate and strategic location—especially as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat—as major advantages for doing business.

One of the notable successes of this partnership has been the increasing presence of Chinese automobile firms in Ghana. Zonda Ghana Limited, a Chinese company, has made significant strides by establishing two vehicle assembly plants for heavy-duty and light-duty vehicles. As of February 2025, the company also launched its eighth showroom in Accra, attributing its growth to the supportive business environment created by the Ghanaian government.

In a bid to make the industry more competitive and environmentally sustainable, the Ghanaian government announced in April 2025 that it would review the Ghana Automotive Development Policy. The updated framework is expected to include provisions for electric vehicles (EVs), offering incentives such as tax waivers and subsidies for EVs, electric bicycles, and tricycles. This move aims to attract further investment, particularly in the growing EV market.

Additionally, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Ghana's development agenda. He emphasized strategic investments in areas like industrialization, agricultural modernization, job creation, and broader economic transformation as central to China’s cooperation with Ghana.

These collaborative efforts signify a strengthening relationship between Ghana and China, driven by mutual goals of industrial advancement and sustainable economic growth.