Ghana and China are ushering in a new era of strategic industrial cooperation with a landmark agreement in the pipeline to establish an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing hub in Ghana, anchored on the country’s strategic lithium deposits. This milestone was reached during high-level bilateral talks held on the sidelines of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha, China.
The discussions, led by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, focused on deepening trade, industrial growth, and energy transition partnerships.
“Ghana and China will soon sign a special Economic Partnership Agreement to concretize our mutually beneficial partnership,” said Minister Ablakwa, highlighting the strengthening of diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.
China remains Ghana’s top trading partner, with 2024 bilateral trade volumes surpassing US$11 billion. Building on this strong foundation, the two sides explored new industrial initiatives aligned with President John Mahama’s bold economic vision including the development of an integrated aluminium industry using Ghana’s bauxite resources, and powered by modern rail infrastructure.
“We also discussed new industrial projects in line with President Mahama’s vision, including exploiting our bauxite for an integrated aluminium industry powered by modern rail infrastructure,” Ablakwa emphasized.
The announcement of the potential EV plant positions Ghana as a future automotive and clean energy manufacturing hub in West Africa, with China bringing technological expertise and capital investment to the table.
This forward-looking partnership is seen as a continuation of the legacy laid by Ghana’s first President Kwame Nkrumah and Chairman Mao Zedong.
“Kwame Nkrumah and Chairman Mao would be proud of what Ghana-China relations have achieved 65 years after they laid the foundation,” Ablakwa remarked, reflecting on the enduring geopolitical ties between the two nations.
With the signing of the upcoming Economic Partnership Agreement, Ghana is set to attract new investments, enhance its industrial base, and create green jobs, further cementing its position as a regional economic leader. The Mahama administration reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging diplomacy as a tool for transformative economic development, positioning Ghana as open, ready, and ambitious on the global industrial stage.
