Government woos Japanese carmakers to boost Ghana's automotive industry

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that the government has extended an invitation to Japanese car manufacturing companies to expand their operations in Ghana as part of efforts to scale up the country’s automotive drive.

According to him, this expansion aims to pave the way for car manufacturing and assembling in Ghana, while also creating more local jobs within the automobile sector.

In a post shared on his X page following a high-level delegation between the two countries on January 19, 2026, Ablakwa noted that Ghana and Japan are currently working to deepen their relationship, particularly in the areas of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

He explained that this new initiative, guided by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Japan during the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), would extend beyond Ghana’s automobile industry.

“Our engagements have led to strategic partnerships with Ghanaian companies, an agreement to increase Japanese investment in Ghana, and greater access to the Japanese market. Japanese car manufacturing companies are expected to expand their operations in Ghana with the opening of more branches,” he said.

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Ablakwa also hinted that the two countries are advancing talks to improve value addition in Ghana’s cocoa industry.

As the world’s second-largest cocoa producer after neighboring Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana contributes roughly 20–25% of global cocoa supply.

“Further discussions focused on enhancing value addition and making the historically famous Ghana Chocolate brand even more successful in Japan,” he added.

This expansion goes beyond automotive manufacturing. Strategic partnerships have been forged between Japanese and Ghanaian firms to increase Japanese investment, boost technology transfer, and improve market access for Ghanaian goods in Japan.

Check Ablakwa's X post below:

Ghana and Japan boost relations.

It’s been very substantive and mutually beneficial hosting and working with Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Ayano Kunimitsu who led an impressive 35-member Japanese business delegation to Ghana.

Vice President, Prof.… pic.twitter.com/8Vyk71osHx

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) January 19, 2026

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