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Ghana-Germany trade grows 30% as GIPC, trade minister tout investment reforms

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  Published in Business and Finance on Wednesday, November 5th 2025 at 18:20 GMT by Ghanaweb.com

Ghana‑Germany Trade Surges 30 % Amidst New Investment Reforms, Ghanaian Trade Minister Announces

Ghana’s trade relationship with Germany has accelerated, reporting a 30 % rise in bilateral commerce for the most recent fiscal year. In a press briefing at the Ghanaian Ministry of Trade and Industry, Trade Minister Nana Yaw Mensah highlighted a suite of investment reforms that have turned Ghana into an increasingly attractive destination for German firms across key sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy.

A 30 % Upswing in Bilateral Trade

According to the Ministry’s latest trade statistics, Ghana’s imports from Germany climbed to approximately GHS 12.8 billion, while German exports to the Ghanaian market surged by roughly GHS 4.5 billion. This translates to a trade balance shift of over GHS 8 billion in favour of Ghana, marking the highest trade surplus recorded in the country’s history with Germany.

The bulk of German exports to Ghana includes high‑value components for the automotive industry, aircraft parts, advanced machinery, and specialty chemicals. Meanwhile, Ghana’s main exports to Germany comprise cocoa, gold, oil‑related equipment, and increasingly, high‑quality agri‑food products. The growth in the agri‑food sector has been driven by Germany’s push for diversified supply chains and the rising demand for sustainably sourced products.

Investment Reforms That Pay Off

Minister Mensah unveiled a series of regulatory reforms aimed at simplifying the investment process, reducing bureaucratic red tape, and enhancing transparency. Key initiatives include:

1. One‑Stop Investment Centre – The Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) has now established a dedicated German investment desk, offering real‑time assistance for German firms from application to approval.
2. Reduced Licensing Fees – License fees for German companies have been cut by 15 % in the first half of 2024, and a fast‑track approval process has been introduced for high‑tech projects.
3. Tax Incentives – A new tax holiday regime provides up to a 20 % corporate tax exemption for German firms investing in Ghana’s renewable energy and automotive sectors for the first five years of operation.
4. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) – Germany has been invited to co‑develop SEZs in Accra, Kumasi, and Tema, focusing on automotive assembly, aerospace manufacturing, and solar panel production.

These reforms have been lauded by German business chambers, with the German Chamber of Commerce in Ghana (GCCG) noting a 25 % uptick in enquiries since the announcement.

The Role of the Ghana Investment Promotion Center

The GIPC’s website, accessed during the briefing, showcased a comprehensive digital portal where investors can track the status of their applications, access regulatory guidelines, and download required documents. In 2023, the GIPC received 1,200 new investment proposals, with 320 originating from German firms. The portal also offers a “Country Snapshot” feature, providing up‑to‑date data on Ghana’s economic climate, legal framework, and market opportunities.

A GIPC spokesperson explained that the center’s outreach program, which includes seminars in Germany and on‑site visits to Ghana, has been a pivotal factor in building confidence among German investors. The center’s annual “Ghana‑Germany Investment Forum” is slated for June 2025, where policy makers will review progress and explore further collaboration.

German Firms on the Ground

Several German companies have already capitalised on Ghana’s growing market. BMW’s subsidiary in Ghana, established in 2019, has expanded its assembly plant in Kumasi, employing over 400 locals and securing a 10 % market share in the region’s automotive industry. Siemens Gamesa recently announced a new wind‑turbine manufacturing facility in the Tema SEZ, projected to generate 150 jobs and supply turbines to West Africa.

Meanwhile, Lufthansa Technik is exploring the possibility of setting up a maintenance hub for African aircraft, leveraging Ghana’s strategic location and the country’s improved aviation infrastructure.

Economic Context and Future Outlook

Ghana’s recent macro‑economic stability, highlighted by a 5 % GDP growth in 2023 and a current account surplus, has created a conducive environment for foreign direct investment (FDI). The government’s “Industrialisation 2025” roadmap, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, seeks to diversify the economy away from raw commodity exports toward high‑value manufacturing.

German trade officials see Ghana as a strategic partner in the broader “Africa 2025” agenda, which aims to foster intra‑regional trade and create a unified market. As part of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Ghana’s improved trade infrastructure—new highways, upgraded ports, and enhanced customs procedures—will likely sustain the upward trajectory of German imports and exports.

A Stronger Partnership Ahead

Minister Mensah concluded the briefing by reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties with Germany. “Our goal is to transform Ghana into a manufacturing hub for Germany’s automotive and aerospace sectors, while ensuring that our trade partnership is grounded in mutual growth and sustainability,” he stated. The minister also invited German firms to participate in upcoming trade missions and investment roadshows scheduled for the remainder of 2024.

With a robust 30 % increase in trade, a stream of investment incentives, and a clear policy roadmap, Ghana and Germany are poised to write a new chapter in their commercial relationship—one that promises to boost economic diversification, job creation, and technological advancement across both nations.