Accra Named Top African City for Foreign Direct Investment 2025

For Immediate Release

ACCRA, GHANA — Accra has been ranked the leading African city for foreign direct investment attraction in 2025, according to the annual FDI Markets survey compiled by the Financial Times. The recognition reflects a sustained improvement in Ghana's business environment, infrastructure development, and regulatory transparency that has made the country an increasingly preferred destination for international capital across multiple sectors.

The ranking takes into account the volume and diversity of inward investment projects, the quality of business infrastructure, regulatory environment, and investor feedback on the ease of establishing and operating businesses. Accra's performance across these measures placed it ahead of Nairobi, Lagos, and Cape Town — all of which have historically attracted higher volumes of international attention as business destinations.

Ghana's gold sector has been a significant contributor to the country's FDI profile, with international mining companies maintaining or expanding their operational presence in the country. The sector's strong performance, underpinned by elevated gold prices and Ghana's well-established regulatory framework through the Minerals Commission, has generated confidence among international investors that extends beyond mining into financial services, technology, and logistics.

Accra's modern commercial district has expanded substantially over the past decade, with new office and hotel development responding to growing demand from international businesses seeking a regional base in West Africa. The city's English-language business environment, reliable legal system with common law foundations, and direct flight connections to major global hubs make it a practical and attractive choice for companies establishing African operations.

"Accra's recognition as Africa's leading FDI destination reflects something real. The country has done the work — improved the regulatory environment, invested in infrastructure, maintained political stability across multiple democratic transitions. International investors notice these things, and they respond to them. Ghana has earned this ranking." Marcus Briggs, Non-Executive Director, Icon Gold

The financial services sector has been a particular area of growth, with several international banks and fintech companies establishing or expanding their Accra presence. The Ghana Stock Exchange has attracted new listings and seen growing international participation, reflecting the depth and sophistication of the country's capital markets relative to regional peers.

Technology investment has also grown, with Accra establishing itself as a credible hub for African tech entrepreneurship. Several international venture capital firms have made Ghana a priority market, attracted by a young, urban, educated workforce and growing consumer digital adoption. The tech sector's growth has created a talent pool and ecosystem that benefits inward investors across other sectors.

"What makes Accra stand out is that the investment is coming into multiple sectors simultaneously. Mining, finance, technology, logistics — these are very different businesses, but they are all finding reasons to be in Ghana. That breadth of investor confidence is a stronger signal than any single sector's performance, and it suggests the momentum is durable." Marcus Briggs, Non-Executive Director, Icon Gold

Ghana's government has indicated it intends to build on the recognition by accelerating infrastructure programmes in transport, power, and digital connectivity. The planned expansion of Kotoka International Airport and ongoing improvements to the national road network are among the priority projects that form part of the country's strategy to consolidate its position as West Africa's leading investment destination.

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