Ghana, China to sign zero-tariff deal by end-October; citizenship path planned for long-term investors – Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana and China have reached an agreement in principle to grant Ghanaian products zero-tariff access to the Chinese market, with the formal signing expected by the end of October 2025.
He also disclosed plans to create a pathway to Ghanaian citizenship for long-term investors through a new investment law that will remove minimum capital requirements for foreign and joint venture investors.
Speaking at the Presidential Investment Forum in Beijing, China, on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, President Mahama stated that the two measures, market access and investor incentives, form the core of his administration’s plan to deepen economic ties and drive Ghana’s industrial growth.
“I’m happy to inform you that we reached an agreement in principle, and we have targeted the end of October to be able to sign off on the zero-tariff principle,” he said. “A new Investment Promotion Authority Bill will abolish minimum capital requirements for foreign and joint venture investors and will provide a clear path for long-term investors to qualify for Ghanaian citizenship.”
Mr Mahama said the measures were part of a broader effort to rebalance trade, attract investment, and ensure that Ghanaians benefit from the country’s “reset agenda” and “24-hour economy vision.”
“We want to work with you as we build a future of shared progress and shared prosperity for our peoples,” he told the gathering.
According to Mr Mahama, trade between Ghana and China reached 11.8 billion dollars in 2024. He said the zero-tariff arrangement would open new markets for Ghanaian exporters, agro-processors, and manufacturers, and help reduce the trade gap that currently favours imports.
Mr Mahama assured investors that Ghana’s laws protect investment against discrimination, expropriation, and nationalisation, and allow unrestricted repatriation of dividends in convertible currencies.
He added that the country’s membership in international arbitration conventions and its record of over 30 years of democratic stability provide a strong foundation for investor confidence.
“Our laws protect investment against discrimination, expropriation and nationalisation, which is consistent with international best practice,” he said. “Our democratic stability of more than three decades is the strongest guarantee of investor confidence.”
The President said the proposed citizenship pathway would serve as a strong incentive for investors who make long-term, value-adding contributions to the economy, describing it as “a symbol of trust and belonging.”
Mr Mahama also invited Chinese investors to take part in major national projects, including the 10 billion-dollar Big Push Infrastructure Programme, agro-industrial parks under the Volta Economic Corridor, and a planned green digital city that will span the Greater Accra, Volta, and Eastern regions.
“Ghana is open for business, we are open to innovation, and we are open to partnerships, especially with our Chinese counterparts,” he said.
Mr Mahama said the combination of preferential market access, investor protections, and the proposed citizenship pathway marks a new phase in Ghana-China relations aimed at driving industrialisation, technology transfer, and shared growth.
“Ours will be a win-win partnership. Your success in Ghana and investments will be our shared success,” he added.
