Ghana
Corporate Guide

Can a company be wholly owned by foreigners in Ghana?

Generally, a company established in Ghana can be wholly owned by foreigners. Every company with foreign equity participation is required to register with the GIPC upon incorporation and before starting operations. Additionally, the mining, energy and petroleum industries have local content requirements that must be met.

The minimum capital requirement for a company wholly owned by foreigners is pegged at USD 500,000 but this amount is increased to USD 1 million when the company is in the business of trading. The interpretation section of the GIPC Act defines a “trading enterprise” as an enterprise that has as its principal activity the purchase and sale of goods, whether imported or not, and provision of services, whether the purchase and sale of goods and services are carried out in a market or any other place.

After the incorporation has been completed, the incorporation documents along with proof of payment of the applicable minimum capital shall be submitted to the GIPC for a certificate to be issued to the wholly foreign-owned company.