Ghana enacted the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Act, 2026 (Act 1173) (the “Act”), replacing the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 (Act 865) and establishing the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA) as the successor to the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC). The Act, assented to on 15 July 2026, revises Ghana’s framework for foreign investment registration and expatriate employment associated with foreign-invested enterprises.1
WHY THIS MATTERS
The new Act may affect global mobility programs by changing the framework under which foreign-owned and foreign-participated businesses operate in Ghana. Employers using expatriate staff may need to assess how the revised expatriate quota scale, reported work permit validity period, annual registration renewal, and compliance monitoring requirements could affect workforce planning, assignment approvals, and ongoing administration.
HR leaders, payroll managers, and global mobility teams may need closer coordination with legal, immigration, tax, and business teams. Mobile employees could be affected if assignment eligibility, permit processing, or the employer’s registration status depends on the enterprise’s investment level, sector, or compliance position. The revised framework may also affect compliance and workforce cost planning, particularly for trading enterprises and businesses entering into technology transfer arrangements.
Background
The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 (Act 865) previously governed Ghana’s investment promotion framework. Act 1173 replaces that legislation and establishes GIPA with expanded investment promotion, facilitation, regulatory, and monitoring functions. The Act also identifies GIPA as the national focal institution for the African Continental Free Trade Area Protocol on Investment.
Key Highlights
GIPC becomes GIPA
Act 1173 establishes the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority as the successor to GIPC, with an expanded role in investment promotion, facilitation, regulation, and monitoring.
Foreign capital requirements revised
The Act removes the former general minimum capital requirements for wholly foreign-owned and joint venture enterprises, except for trading enterprises. For foreign trading enterprises, the minimum capital requirement is now reported as USD 500,000 in cash equity, together with a requirement that at least 75 percent of employees be skilled Ghanaians.
Annual registration renewal introduced
Enterprise registration with GIPA is now required to be renewed annually.
Expatriate quota scale updated
The Act introduces a revised expatriate quota scale under which companies may have between 2 and 12 expatriate employees depending on invested capital, ranging from USD 50,000 to more than USD 10 million.
Technology transfer requirements strengthened
The Act broadens and strengthens registration requirements for technology transfer agreements, with increased emphasis on local capacity-building obligations.
Reserved activities identified
Six categories of activities are reserved strictly for Ghanaians, restricting foreign participation in those areas.
Investor protections and grievance mechanisms introduced
The Act includes investor protection measures, including a statutory investor grievance mechanism, helps protect against expropriation, and dispute-resolution procedures.
Incentives and strategic investment measures included
The Act provides for targeted industry-specific and strategic tax incentives and includes support for citizenship-by-investment regulations.
KPMG INSIGHTS
In light of the changes, organisations and entities might wish to consider:
- Organizations could review their Ghana entity registration status and determine when the first annual renewal obligation will apply.
- Companies using expatriate employees in Ghana could map current and planned expatriate populations against the new quota scale and confirm whether any additional approvals or adjustments may be required.
- Employers could assess whether their business activities fall within any reserved categories and whether sector-specific rules or capital requirements may still apply.
- Organizations entering into technology transfer arrangements could review whether existing or planned agreements need registration or additional documentation under the strengthened framework.
- HR, mobility, tax, and legal teams could coordinate on implementation planning because the Act may affect investment compliance, expatriate staffing, incentives, and operational risk.
If assignees and/or their program managers have any questions or concerns about the scope of the update, its application and potential impacts, and appropriate next steps, they should consult with their qualified professional or a member of the GMS team with KPMG in Ghana (see the Contacts section).
ENDNOTE:
1 Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Act, 2026 (Act 1173), “GIPA-ACT-2026,”
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* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Ghana.
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