What changed
The Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Act, 2026 (Act 1173) was assented to on 15 July 2026. It repeals the previous law (Act 865), and the Authority is now the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA), formerly GIPC. According to published summaries of the Act:
- Blanket minimum capital requirements are removed for most foreign participation.
- Trading still has a minimum: US$500,000 in cash.
- GIPA registration becomes annual, so it is renewed every year.
Our summary relies on secondary sources published in July and August 2026. Regulations and forms under the Act are still being published. We will update this guide, and our changelog, as they are.
Who it applies to
Enterprises with foreign participation: in practice, a Ghanaian company with at least one foreign shareholder. Whether and how the Act applies to your plans is confirmed by a partner lawyer before you pay.
What still applies
- Reserved activities. Some activities are reserved and not open to foreign participation. We check your proposed activity first.
- Sector licences. Some activities need a licence from a sector regulator as well as registration.
- The resident-director rule. A company needs at least two directors, at least one ordinarily resident in Ghana. We explain the options openly.
- Immigration. If you plan to work in Ghana, we refer you for immigration-quota advice.
How the GHBusinessDesk pathway works
- Pre-qualification. We check reserved activities, the trading cash rule and sector licences before you commit.
- A partner lawyer is engaged. This is mandatory on our foreign-founder pathway. They confirm what applies to you, and the GIPA fees, before you pay.
- The company is incorporated with the Office of the Registrar of Companies.
- GIPA registration follows incorporation, coordinated by us with your lawyer.
- Annual renewal is added to your compliance calendar, with reminders.
What it costs
| Line | Paid to | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Government fees, company registration and name search | Office of the Registrar of Companies | GHS 615 + stamp duty at 1% of stated capital |
| Government fees, GIPA registration | Ghana Investment Promotion Authority | Confirmed before you pay |
| GHBusinessDesk service fee, company with GIPA coordination | GHBusinessDesk | US$1,200 |
| Professional fee, GIPA and activity review | Partner lawyer | Quoted before you pay |
Sources and review
Last reviewed . Rules and fees change; we record each change in the regulatory changelog.
- GIPA Act, 2026 (Act 1173): assent on 15 July 2026, repeal of Act 865, capital and trading rules, annual registration. Secondary sources (July and August 2026); to verify against the Gazette and GIPA regulationsSecondary source · to verify
- Company officer requirements: Act 992, to verify against the ActSecondary source · to verify
