The United Kingdom and Ghana have agreed on a new Growth Partnership aimed at driving private sector–led development, strengthening trade, and expanding investment flows between the two countries.
The agreement builds on up to £215 million in deals concluded during the Ghana Investment Summit in London, and is expected to guide cooperation between 2026 and 2028.
The partnership was signed during President John Dramani Mahama’s official visit to the UK, marking a renewed commitment to economic collaboration between the two nations.
It focuses on four key areas: attracting private investment and finance, easing trade for Ghanaian businesses, supporting infrastructure and industrial expansion, and expanding skills and education opportunities.
According to officials, the initiative is backed by a series of targeted projects designed to produce tangible economic and social impact across Ghana.
Key initiatives under the partnership include:
• Maritime infrastructure and jobs creation
A £101 million UK-supported project will establish the first commercial-scale ship repair and dry-docking facility in the Gulf of Guinea. The Takoradi Floating Dock Project (ShipRite) is backed by a consortium including the UK co-owned Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) and delivered with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.
The project is expected to create up to 430 direct jobs, with about 30% reserved for women. It will also position Ghana as a regional maritime hub while reducing emissions linked to long-distance vessel maintenance travel. The initiative also introduces local pension funds into infrastructure financing in the region.
• Climate infrastructure investment support
A £5 million UK-backed Green Project Preparation Facility, hosted by Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSD Africa) in partnership with the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, will help convert viable public and private sector ideas into investable climate infrastructure projects.
The facility could unlock up to £180 million in deals over three years, supporting Ghana’s infrastructure priorities and creating opportunities for UK firms.
• Green economy and reforestation finance
Mere Plantations plans to expand reforestation efforts in Ghana using technologies such as biochar to improve environmental outcomes. The company will launch a £85 million reforestation investment fund listed on the London Stock Exchange’s new Private Markets platform.
Backed by the Ghana Forestry Commission, the fund is designed to attract global capital into carbon and reforestation projects, create jobs, restore degraded land, and strengthen Ghana’s position in nature-based investment markets.
• Artificial intelligence and digital cooperation
A new partnership will support the implementation of Ghana’s AI strategy, backed by £6 million in UK funding. The initiative forms part of broader science and technology collaboration, including ten new Physics Partnerships supported by UK Research and Innovation.
• Forest restoration and livelihoods
Rainforest Builder will invest £9 million into forest restoration in Ghana’s Oti Region, aimed at environmental conservation and job creation.
• Education and skills development
New transnational education guidelines will enable stronger partnerships between UK and Ghanaian institutions, expanding access to higher-quality training and education opportunities.
• Healthcare skills strengthening
A £4 million, five-year partnership between a UK training provider and Ghana-based Mangel Klicks will deliver specialist clinical engineering training to improve healthcare systems and strengthen regional capacity.
Trade and investment outlook
The partnership comes as the UK and Ghana mark five years of their Trade Partnership Agreement. Since its entry into force, bilateral trade has risen to about £1.6 billion—an increase of 12.5% since 2024.
It also builds on investments led by British International Investment (BII), whose portfolio in Ghana stands at approximately £140 million, including support for Maa Grace, a UK-Ghanaian export-focused garments company through Growth Investment Partners (GIP) Ghana.
British High Commissioner to Ghana, Dr Christian Rogg, said, “this Growth Partnership is about real change people can see and feel. It means more skilled jobs, stronger ports and transport links, better access to finance, and new opportunities for young people and women across Ghana. By working with Ghanaian partners and backing private investment, we are supporting growth that is sustainable, inclusive and led by Ghana’s own priorities.”
Strategic focus
The partnership reflects a shared ambition to:
- Mobilise investment at scale
- Expand and diversify trade
- Strengthen infrastructure for industrial transformation
Both governments describe the agreement as a long-term framework to deepen economic ties while unlocking new commercial opportunities across priority sectors.
