President John Dramani Mahama has called for fairer access to global capital while presenting Ghana as a dependable entry point for investors into Africa.
Speaking at the opening of the 8th Africa–Singapore Business Forum in Singapore, as part of his three-day state visit, the Ghanaian leader made a compelling case for investment partnerships that can unlock Africa’s economic potential.
Delivering his keynote, President Mahama underscored the urgency of addressing the inequities in the global financial architecture, which he argued continues to disadvantage low- and middle-income countries.
“As the African Union Champion on Financial Institutions, I must be candid: the current global financial architecture remains inequitable for low- and middle-income countries”.
President John Dramani Mahama
He noted that Africa faces an annual financing gap of about $1.3 trillion, with infrastructure needs alone requiring between $181 billion and $221 billion per year through 2030, while the climate finance gap stands at $213 billion annually.
President Mahama emphasized that Africa is actively pursuing reforms to build a financial system tailored to its development needs.
These steps, he explained, include accelerating the establishment of the African Monetary Institute as a precursor to the African Central Bank, linking ten major stock exchanges through the African Exchanges Linkage Project to boost liquidity, and scaling the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System to enable businesses to settle cross-border trade in local currencies.
“Africa holds vast renewable energy potential and is already a global leader in mobile money and fintech adoption. This is a market ready for scaled solutions. Yet this opportunity must be matched with capital at the right price and with the right instruments.”.
President John Dramani Mahama
South–South Collaboration
Against the backdrop of tightened global financial conditions, fragile supply chains, and rising protectionism, the President stressed that partnerships between Africa and Singapore are not just desirable but necessary.
“South–South collaboration is not optional; it is essential. Africa and Singapore must be champions of open markets, trusted rules, and practical partnerships that deliver jobs, technology transfer and shared prosperity”.
President John Dramani Mahama
He pointed to the rapid growth in trade between Africa and Singapore as evidence of the opportunities available. Trade volumes between the two regions rose by about 50 percent between 2020 and 2024, reaching nearly US$14 billion, with West Africa contributing more than half of the total. Ghana–Singapore trade also expanded significantly, reaching over US$215 million in 2024.
“I speak today as an African leader and as President of Ghana. Our message is simple: Africa is investable, and Ghana is your reliable gateway to the continent”.
President John Dramani Mahama
Africa’s Demographic and Market Potential
Highlighting Africa’s demographic and market potential, President Mahama reminded his audience that the continent is home to 1.4 billion people, most of whom are young, fast-urbanising, and digitally connected.
According to him, by 2030, Africa’s cities will host more than 700 million consumers with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) now operational, the continent represents a $3.4 trillion market with lower barriers across supply chains.
President Mahama also reassured investors that Ghana is taking deliberate steps to restore credibility and make its economy more competitive.
“We are pursuing a deliberate national reset: stabilising the macroeconomy, restoring confidence and reforming how we do business. Inflation is easing, the cedi has stabilised, and ratings outlooks are improving”.
President John Dramani Mahama
Ghana’s Reform Drive
As part of Ghana’s reform drive, the President noted that the government is simplifying regulations under its Business Regulatory Reforms and reviewing the Investment Promotion Act, including removing minimum capital thresholds for foreign investors. “We are making it easier and faster to partner, whether through joint ventures or wholly-owned investments,” he said.
Turning to Ghana’s economic strategy, President Mahama said it is anchored on productivity, exports, and jobs under the flagship “24-Hour Economy” programme.
He described the concept as positioning Ghana as open for business around the clock, with infrastructure, incentives, and skills aligned to support continuous operations across factories, farms, ports, and service centres.
“At the core of this is the Volta Economic Corridor—our most ambitious integrated development to date. Our proposition is straightforward: a stable, reform-minded country, connected to the AfCFTA, designed for scale. A 24-Hour Economy that matches your need for speed, reliability, and standards”.
President John Dramani Mahama
He further outlined Ghana’s pipeline of investable projects across agribusiness, logistics, manufacturing, energy, digital innovation, and tourism, while underscoring the importance of long-term relationships based on integrity and predictability.
In return, he called on Singaporean partners to bring their strengths in practical collaboration, technology transfer, disciplined project execution, blended finance, and skills development.
Presidential Business Roundtable
To demonstrate Ghana’s readiness, the President announced that on the third day of his state visit, Ghana will host a Presidential Business Roundtable as part of the Africa Forum. The session, he said, will showcase bankable projects, provide direct access to regulators, and outline incentives for strategic investors.
“Join us. Bring your teams. Put Ghana’s readiness to the test. We will showcase bankable projects, provide direct access to our regulators, outline incentives for strategic investors, and offer a one-stop investor concierge so decisions can be made quickly and confidently”.
President John Dramani Mahama
With Africa positioned as the world’s most dynamic emerging market and Ghana positioning itself as a reliable gateway, President Mahama’s message in Singapore was clear: Africa is open for business, and Ghana stands ready to lead the way in connecting global investors to the continent’s vast opportunities.
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