The Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), Mr. Latif Wiredu Appau, has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to providing a seamless regulatory environment for foreign investment, hosting a high-level Japanese business delegation at the Tema Export Processing Zone (EPZ).
Speaking during the engagement, Mr. Appau, who represented GFZA Chief Executive Dr. Mary Awusi, positioned the nation’s specialized economic zones as the primary engine for technology transfer and value-added manufacturing in West Africa.
“The GFZA is committed to fostering an enabling environment for foreign investment.
“We highlight the strategic importance of trade and investment cooperation, technology transfer, and the development of mutually beneficial partnerships between Ghana and Japan. Our goal is to ensure that these engagements lead to long-term industrial growth”
Latif Wiredu Appau, Deputy CEO of GFZA
For Mr. Appau, the presence of senior Japanese government officials and global business executives underscored Ghana’s growing reputation as a stable and predictable investment destination.
Contributing to the technical briefing, Anita Quashie, the GFZA Director of Marketing and Investment Promotion, delivered an exhaustive presentation on the Free Zones Scheme.
She particularly emphasized the untapped opportunities at the Afienya EPZ, which is being positioned as a specialized hub for heavy industry and advanced logistics.
Bridging the Industrial Divide
The engagement follows a significant diplomatic push by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI) to pivot Ghana away from raw material exports toward integrated industrial value chains.
The engagement focused heavily on the infrastructure and fiscal incentives available within the Tema and Afienya Export Processing Zones.
According to the Free Zones Authority, this strategy is designed to ensure that Japanese innovation – renowned for its precision and quality – is married with Ghana’s abundant resources and young, trainable workforce.
“It is essential that we provide investor certainty, clear regulatory frameworks, predictable timelines, and reliable infrastructure. This is how we ensure that Ghana remains ready for high-level business partnerships with Japan”
Latif Wiredu Appau, Deputy CEO of GFZA
The visit, led by the Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Kunimitsu Ayano, marked a critical milestone in strengthening bilateral economic relations.
The Japanese delegation, which included Ambassador Yoshimoto Hiroshi, toured the facilities to assess the readiness of Ghana’s industrial platforms to host Japanese manufacturing subsidiaries.
From Dialogue to B2B Reality
The site visit at Tema was the culmination of a broader two-day diplomatic circuit.
Earlier, the GFZA participated in the Ghana-Japan Business Forum, where Deputy Trade Minister Hon. Sampson Ahi delivered a keynote address urging Japanese firms to use Ghana as a launchpad for the $3.4 trillion African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market.
Mr. Appau and Ms. Quashie also engaged in direct business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking sessions. These sessions allowed Japanese executives to explore practical pathways for joint ventures, particularly in sectors such as agribusiness, electronics assembly, and sustainable energy solutions.
Dr. Kunimitsu Ayano noted that the Japanese government is actively encouraging its private sector to expand its footprint in Africa, with Ghana identified as a priority partner.
“Ghana’s potential as a strategic investment destination is clear. We appreciate the warm reception and the detailed presentation on the Free Zones Scheme.
“Japanese businesses are increasingly interested in deepening their footprint in key sectors of the Ghanaian economy, and we commend the reforms ongoing to improve the investment climate”
Dr. Kunimitsu Ayano, Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs
Gateway to Africa
The GFZA’s focus on “investor aftercare,” was a recurring theme throughout the mission. By ensuring that Japanese firms already operating in the country are thriving, the Authority hopes to attract a second wave of industrial giants specializing in automotive parts and digital technology.
“This visit is a major opportunity to showcase our investment climate and to strengthen economic diplomacy. Ghana is the gateway to trade in West Africa, and putting your industry here means dealing with a combined African GDP of 3.4 trillion”
Latif Wiredu Appau, Deputy CEO of GFZA
As the delegation concluded its working visit, the GFZA maintained that the “predictable timelines,” and “reliable infrastructure,” found in the Export Processing Zones will be the deciding factor for Japanese firms choosing their next regional headquarters.
The Authority expects these high-level engagements to translate into tangible job creation and a significant boost to Ghana’s non-traditional export figures in the coming fiscal year.
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