Ghana and South Africa are strengthening economic ties as trade, investment and cross border mobility record sharp growth, Acting South African High Commissioner to Ghana, Thando Dalamba has said, citing rising private sector activity, deeper institutional cooperation and growing diaspora engagement.
Speaking in Accra, Dalamba said the relationship between the two countries is now anchored on twenty four cooperation agreements and Memoranda of Understanding signed over the past two decades. He noted that these frameworks form the policy backbone for trade, investment and skills partnerships across multiple sectors. Dalamba also stressed that the African diaspora business community remains a key driver of commercial integration on the continent.
Trade Surges Past USD 1 Billion
Bilateral trade rose from R14.1 billion in 2020 to R18.19 billion in 2024, equivalent to more than one billion US dollars. Dalamba said the growth reflects stronger activity in sectors such as mining services, retail, telecoms and hospitality, where South African companies maintain a significant presence in Ghana.
South African Investors Expand Footprint
South African firms have committed 1.2 billion US dollars across 161 projects in Ghana. Dalamba said these investments are supporting job creation and industrial development at a critical phase of Ghana’s economic reform agenda. He added that the investment pipeline remains steady, with companies exploring opportunities in energy, manufacturing, agro processing and logistics.
Visa Waiver Boosts Business Travel
The reciprocal visa waiver introduced in November 2023 has sharply increased business travel and tourism, with Ghanaian arrivals to South Africa climbing by more than 240 percent. Dalamba said improved mobility is lowering transaction costs, speeding up deal making and enabling more structured corporate engagements between businesses in both countries.
AfCFTA Integration Gains Momentum
Dalamba noted South Africa’s participation in the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative, including its first guided trade shipment to Ghana. He said this effort positions both countries as early movers in building continental value chains and strengthening intra African commerce. According to him, the initiative is expected to support regional manufacturing linkages and reduce dependence on imports from outside the continent.
Ghana’s Diaspora Now a Strategic Partner
Head of the Diaspora Desk at the Ghana Investment Promotion Center, Nadia Okudzeto, said the role of the diaspora has shifted from remittances to long term commercial engagement.
She noted that countries across the world are recognising the economic potential of their diaspora communities and Ghana is no exception. She explained that the country now has a dedicated diaspora affairs framework which includes a national diaspora engagement policy and a fully operational diaspora desk at the GIPC.
Okudzeto said the Center has rolled out the Investment Opportunity Marketing Project to highlight specific investment prospects across the country. She also revealed that the GIPC has begun capturing diaspora investment data for the first time, describing it as an essential step toward understanding investor flow and designing targeted support for diaspora businesses.
She expressed interest in Ghana and South Africa exploring peer to peer learning models that can deepen collaboration and expand diaspora driven trade and investment.
Call for Stronger Public Private Collaboration
Dalamba urged governments, private sector players and the diaspora to deepen cooperation to unlock new markets and expand investment. He said sustained partnership is essential for accelerating regional growth, building stronger value chains and positioning African economies to compete on the global stage
