Ghana is seeking to strengthen its special economic zones as part of efforts to expand manufacturing, create jobs and attract investment while positioning the country to capture more trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The push was discussed at the National Economic Zone Policy Roundtable 2026 in Accra, organised by the Economic Zones and Industrial Parks Chamber with support from GIZ, UNIDO, the European Union in Ghana and the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry.
Held under the theme “Advancing Manufacturing Cluster Policy for Jobs”, the forum brought together government officials, business executives, diplomats, policymakers and industry players to examine how Ghana can build a more competitive economic zone ecosystem.
Discussions focused on aligning the development of Special Economic Zones with the objectives of the AfCFTA to support industrialisation, increase investment and expand intra-African trade.
A major component of the initiative is the development of Ghana’s first comprehensive National SEZ Policy and Bill, according to Johanna Klotz, Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy.
Klotz said Germany, through GIZ, is supporting efforts to align skills development with industry requirements, strengthen local supplier linkages and investor aftercare, and promote green, inclusive and competitive industrial parks.
The focus on local supplier connections could help deepen the participation of Ghanaian businesses in industrial activity within economic zones, while stronger investor aftercare is intended to support companies already operating in the country.
The roundtable also highlighted the need to link manufacturing clusters with Ghana’s broader regional trade ambitions. Economic zones that can attract manufacturers and connect them with local suppliers could provide a platform for firms to produce for both the domestic market and customers across Africa.
The Economic Zones Chamber also launched an Investor Opportunities Factsheet at the event, providing an overview of investment opportunities across Ghana’s economic zones.
The initiative comes as Ghana seeks to use industrial development to address employment and investment challenges while taking advantage of the expanding African market created by the AfCFTA.
The roundtable was organised with support from Invest for Jobs, an initiative of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development implemented by GIZ.
