The Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) has held discussions with the newly elected Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry France Ghana (CCIFG) to deepen collaboration aimed at attracting more French investment into Ghana’s export-oriented industrial sector.
The engagement, held in Accra on Monday, August 31, 2026, formed part of a courtesy visit by the new CCIFG Board to the GFZA to strengthen the longstanding relationship between the two institutions and explore new areas of cooperation.
The delegation was led by the President of the CCIFG, Mr Guillaume Valence, and included the Vice-President, Mr Adedamola Adelabu; Treasurer, Ms Catherine Johnson; Vice-Treasurer, Mr Jean-Paul Nassar; Ex-Officio Member, Mr Julien Frioux; and Managing Director, Ms Maxine Reindorf-Partey.
Receiving the delegation, the Chief Executive Officer of the GFZA, Dr Mary Awusi, said the meeting presented an important opportunity to further strengthen the economic and commercial ties between Ghana and France.
She highlighted the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries and said there was significant potential to translate those relations into increased investment, trade and industrial development.
Dr Awusi noted that there was growing interest among French businesses in Ghana and encouraged French investors to take advantage of opportunities available under the Free Zones Scheme to establish or expand export-oriented businesses in the country.
She said the GFZA remained committed to supporting investors and creating an enabling environment for businesses seeking to use Ghana as a production and export hub.
Investment opportunities
As part of the engagement, the Director of Marketing and Investment Promotion at the GFZA, Ms Anita Novi Quashie, made a presentation on the Ghana Free Zones Scheme.
The presentation provided an overview of the Free Zones concept and outlined the opportunities available to investors under the scheme.
It also highlighted the contribution of French investment to Ghana’s Free Zones programme and the potential for greater participation by French companies in the country’s export-oriented industrial development.
The discussions subsequently focused on areas of mutual interest, particularly investment promotion, trade facilitation, industrial development and export-oriented business.
The two sides also examined opportunities arising from the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and how businesses could leverage the continental market to expand their operations and exports.
AfCFTA opportunities
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the participants to discuss operational considerations under the AfCFTA, including the movement of goods, trade facilitation and the role of investment promotion agencies in supporting businesses to take advantage of the continental market.
The Director of Corporate Affairs, PR and Aftercare at the GFZA, Dr Mrs Patience Agbleze Acorlor, and the Director of Business Development and Research, Mr Lawrence Osei-Boateng, provided further insights into the treatment of goods exported from Ghana into the ECOWAS Customs Union.
They also explained the 10-year progressive removal of tariffs under the AfCFTA framework and its implications for businesses seeking to access markets across Africa.
The discussions were particularly significant for French exporters and businesses operating from Ghana, as they sought clarity on logistics, customs and other trade-related considerations affecting their access to African markets.
Addressing trade challenges
Logistics and trade-related challenges encountered by French exporters serving African markets also featured prominently in the discussions.
The participants explored possible areas of institutional cooperation to address such challenges and improve the ease with which businesses can move goods across markets.
The meeting further considered collaboration between the GFZA and other investment promotion agencies, as well as the institutional support available to investors operating in Ghana.
The engagement underscored the importance of stronger coordination among relevant institutions in creating a more investor-friendly environment and facilitating the expansion of export-oriented businesses.
Strengthening Ghana-France economic ties
The meeting ended with a shared commitment to deepen the relationship between the GFZA and the CCIFG and pursue areas of mutual interest that could contribute to Ghana’s industrialisation and export growth.
The engagement also reaffirmed the potential for increased French participation in Ghana’s industrial sector, particularly in areas linked to export production and access to the wider African market.
Through stronger collaboration with business associations such as the CCIFG, the GFZA is expected to continue promoting Ghana as an attractive destination for export-oriented investment while supporting existing investors to expand their operations.
The meeting was attended by other directors, heads of departments and officers of the GFZA.
The engagement forms part of broader efforts by the Authority to strengthen partnerships with international business communities and investment stakeholders in support of Ghana’s industrialisation, investment promotion and export development agenda.
