New GIPC Act Scraps Minimum Capital Requirement for Foreign Investors

Foreign investors will no longer be required to meet minimum capital thresholds before setting up businesses in most sectors of Ghana’s economy, following the passage and presidential assent of the new Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act — a major reform aimed at boosting Ghana’s appeal as an investment destination.

The only exception is the trading sector, where foreign investors must now inject US$500,000 in cash, replacing the old rule that allowed the requirement to be met through imported goods.

GIPC Chief Executive Officer Simon Madjie said the change directly responds to long‑standing concerns raised by investors.

“For investors who’ve been complaining about the minimum capital requirement, that has been eliminated… Except for trading, those in a trading enterprise must now bring in a cash amount of $500,000.”

New Investment Registry, Support for Ghanaian Firms Going Global

Beyond removing barriers, the new law expands Ghana’s investment promotion agenda. Madjie revealed that the Act establishes a National Investment Registry, a central database to track investments nationwide.

He added that the legislation also creates a framework to help Ghanaian companies expand abroad, encouraging local firms to grow into regional and global brands.

“We are going to encourage Ghanaian businesses who have expanded in‑country to go abroad… The objective is to create some of the global businesses that we see around.”

Investment‑by‑Citizenship Framework Introduced

The Act also sets the legal foundation for an investment‑by‑citizenship programme, with modalities to be developed jointly with the Ministry of the Interior.

“There’s also an interesting part, which is setting the tone for investment by citizenship… All of these are in the new Act.”

GIPC Becomes Ghana Investment Promotion Authority

The legislation further transforms the GIPC into the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority, reflecting what Madjie says is the institution’s expanded mandate.

“The Authority just reflects the true nature of the work we’ve been doing for all these years.”

The new law marks one of the most significant overhauls of Ghana’s investment framework in recent years — aimed at attracting more foreign direct investment, strengthening regulation, improving monitoring, and supporting Ghanaian businesses with regional and global ambitions.