Ghana Enacts New Investment Promotion Authority Act

• Ghana has enacted a new investment law that establishes the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority, revises expatriate quota thresholds and work permit procedures and establishes a new framework for foreign investment registration and incentives. 

New Investment Promotion Authority Act 

Ghana has enacted the GIPA-ACT-2026, replacing the previous Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 and establishing the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA) as the country’s new investment promotion and regulatory body.  

New Expatriate Quota Framework 

The legislation introduces a tiered expatriate quota system tied to investment levels: 

• US$50,000 to US$500,000 investment: up to two expatriate positions 
• More than US$500,000 to US$1 million: up to four expatriate positions 
• More than US$1 million to US$3 million: up to six expatriate positions 
• More than US$3 million to US$6 million: up to eight expatriate positions 
• More than US$6 million to US$10 million: up to 10 expatriate positions 
• More than US$10 million: up to 12 expatriate positions  

Expatriate quotas will remain valid for five years and may be renewed.  

Updated Work Permit Process 

Under the new law, enterprises registered with GIPA must submit work permit applications through the Authority before review by the immigration authorities. GIPA must provide its recommendation within five days of receiving a complete application. 

Foreign Investment and Registration Requirements 

Foreign-owned enterprises must register with GIPA before commencing operations in Ghana and renew their registration annually.  

The law also maintains a minimum foreign capital requirement of US$500,000 for foreign nationals engaging in trading activities and requires that at least 75% of employees in those businesses be skilled Ghanaian workers. 

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