The Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) has engaged a delegation from Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN), South Africa, to explore avenues for strengthening trade and investment relations between Ghana and South Africa.
The engagement, held at the GFZA Head Office in Accra on Monday, August 24, 2026, focused on export opportunities, investment prospects and possible areas of collaboration between the two institutions.
The meeting formed part of efforts by the GFZA to deepen strategic partnerships with international investment promotion agencies and position Ghana as a preferred destination for investors seeking access to the wider African market.
Welcoming the South African delegation, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GFZA, Dr Mary Awusi, said the Authority was ready to work closely with TIKZN to create opportunities for businesses from both countries.
She highlighted the benefits available under Ghana’s Free Zones Scheme and encouraged companies in KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of South Africa to consider Ghana as a strategic location for establishing and expanding their businesses.
According to her, Ghana’s strategic position, coupled with the incentives provided under the Free Zones Scheme, offered investors an opportunity to establish production and export-oriented businesses while accessing markets across Africa.
Dr Awusi said stronger institutional collaboration was necessary to facilitate the flow of investment, technology, expertise and business opportunities between Ghana and South Africa.
Investment opportunities
As part of the engagement, the Director of Marketing and Investment Promotion of the GFZA, Ms Anita Quashie, made a presentation on Ghana’s Free Zones Scheme.
The presentation provided the delegation with information on the incentives available to Free Zones enterprises, export opportunities and investment prospects within Ghana.
She also outlined the support provided by the GFZA to businesses seeking to establish operations under the scheme.
The discussions subsequently provided an opportunity for the two sides to exchange information on the business environment in both countries and identify areas where collaboration could support companies seeking to expand their operations.
Particular attention was given to opportunities for South African businesses to use Ghana as a base for entering new markets and expanding their operations on the continent.
The engagement also sought to promote information-sharing between the two institutions, with the expectation that improved access to investment information would make it easier for businesses to identify opportunities and make informed investment decisions.
Gateway to African market
The GFZA has been positioning Ghana’s Free Zones programme as an important platform for attracting export-oriented investments and supporting industrial development.
The Authority believes increased collaboration with investment promotion agencies in other African countries could help create stronger business-to-business linkages and facilitate cross-border investment.
The engagement with TIKZN is therefore expected to contribute to efforts to promote Ghana as a competitive investment destination while opening up opportunities for Ghanaian businesses to explore markets and partnerships in South Africa.
The two institutions also discussed the importance of strategic partnerships in promoting investment, export growth and industrialisation.
The GFZA said it remained committed to facilitating partnerships that could contribute to economic transformation and create opportunities for businesses operating in Ghana and beyond.
Officials
Also present at the meeting was the Deputy CEO in charge of Operations, Mr Lateef Apau Wiredu, together with directors and officers of the Authority.
The engagement comes at a time when Ghana continues to seek increased private-sector investment and stronger international partnerships to support industrialisation, export diversification and economic growth.
The GFZA said it would continue to engage strategic partners and investment promotion institutions to strengthen Ghana’s position as a competitive destination for local and international investors.
The Authority expressed the hope that the discussions with Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal would translate into concrete partnerships and increased investment flows between Ghana and South Africa.
