The United Kingdom and Ghana recently signed a new Growth Partnership to increase trade, attract investment and support job creation, with delivery running from 2026 to 2028. The agreement was signed in London during President John Dramani Mahama’s official visit, alongside deals worth up to £215 million announced at the Ghana – UK Investment Summit.

The framework sets out how both governments will work together to reduce barriers to trade and investment and support private-sector-led growth. It focuses on three areas: finance and investment, market access and infrastructure and industrial development.

“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” Explains H.E. Dr Christian Rogg, British High Commissioner to Ghana,

The agreement responds to a period of declining trade between the two countries, with both governments aiming to double bilateral trade from around £1.5 billion in 2025 to £3 billion by 2030. Achieving this will require targeted action to address constraints affecting market access, regulatory processes and investment flows.

“It is an honour to see this level of engagement between the UK and Ghana, and to have the UK’s support through the work of the JET programme reflected in such a visible way,” says Ilmari Soininen from the UK–Ghana Jobs and Economic Transformation (JET) programme, noting that the agreement marks a significant moment for the programme’s role in delivery. “We have supported the foundations of this partnership over several years, and it is encouraging to see that effort now aligned behind a clear set of priorities for investment, trade and job creation.”

Under the Growth Partnership, existing programmes are not replaced but coordinated more closely. The framework brings together policy reform, investment mobilisation and delivery mechanisms under a single structure, with the intention of improving how businesses access opportunities in both markets.

For businesses, changes are expected to focus on practical conditions, including clearer access to finance, improved logistics and more predictable regulatory environments. For consumers, the impact is likely to be seen in a wider availability of higher-value, locally processed Ghanaian goods entering the UK market, alongside increased UK investment in Ghanaian supply chains.

Implementation will draw on programmes such as the UK–Ghana JET initiative, which has already facilitated more than £125 million in foreign direct investment and supported the creation of over 10,000 jobs in Ghana’s manufacturing sector. “Our role in the Growth Partnership includes convening stakeholders, supporting alignment between governments and private sector actors, and helping translate policy commitments into deliverable projects,” adds Eugene Sangmortey, UK-Ghana JET Team Leader.

The agreement is supported by a pipeline of initiatives announced at the summit. These include a £101 million maritime infrastructure project in Takoradi, which is expected to create up to 430 direct jobs and strengthen Ghana’s position as a regional shipping and repair hub.

Additional measures include a £5 million green project preparation facility designed to unlock up to £180 million in climate-focused infrastructure investment, as well as a planned £85 million reforestation fund aimed at scaling nature-based investment and restoring degraded land.

The Partnership also includes initiatives on skills development and technology collaboration. These range from new transnational education partnerships to a £4 million clinical engineering training programme, alongside support for Ghana’s emerging artificial intelligence strategy.

For Ghana, the Partnership aligns with national priorities to diversify exports, strengthen industrial capacity and increase value addition. It is also expected to support new export pathways for non-traditional goods and improve integration into global supply chains.

President Mahama says the agreement provides a clear roadmap for economic growth. “The initiative positions Ghanaian businesses and workers to compete effectively in the global economy, with significant investment at the centre of our collaboration.”

For the UK, the agreement reflects a broader approach to trade and investment partnerships, with a focus on supply chain resilience and expanding commercial ties in key markets. Ghana is positioned within this approach as a strategic partner for manufacturing, services and green investment.

Progress will be assessed through measurable indicators, including growth in two-way trade, increased investment flows and the number of firms entering or expanding in each market. Early signs of delivery are expected to come from the conversion of announced deals into operational projects and new commercial partnerships.