The government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Shenzhen New Gecko of China for the establishment of an electric vehicle assembly plant in Ghana, with ongoing discussions for a second plant with Chery International.
The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, made the announcement on Wednesday during the Ministry’s presentation at the Accountability Series at Jubilee House.
The electric vehicle assembly initiatives form part of the government’s Rapid Industrialisation for Jobs Programme, aimed at accelerating manufacturing growth for economic development.
“MoU signed with Shenzhen New Gecko of China for an EV assembly plant. Ongoing discussions with Chery International for another EV plant,” the Minister stated, highlighting the government’s commitment to positioning Ghana as a hub for automotive manufacturing in West Africa.
She revealed that the Ministry has drafted major industrial policies covering textiles, pharmaceuticals, automotive components, and special economic zones to provide the framework for accelerated industrial growth.
The automotive sector is one of several priority areas identified under the Rapid Industrialisation for Jobs Initiative, which seeks to rejuvenate manufacturing and create sustainable, well-paying jobs for Ghanaians, particularly the youth.
The Minister explained that the vision of President John Dramani Mahama for the Trade, Agribusiness and Industry sectors is driven by his desire to implement transformational policies aimed at creating sustainable employment opportunities.
The establishment of electric vehicle assembly plants in Ghana is expected to boost local manufacturing capacity, create jobs, and position the country to benefit from the global transition to clean energy transportation.
The initiative also aligns with the government’s objective to accelerate manufacturing growth and enhance the business environment for seamless operations. The Ministry of Trade and Industry was realigned to the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry through Executive Instrument 1 of 2025 to enable comprehensive reforms aimed at reducing the cost of doing business and attracting investors.
Beyond electric vehicles, the government’s industrialisation agenda includes securing 40,000 acres for large-scale contract farming under the Feed the Industry Programme to ensure adequate raw material supply for manufacturing.
The Minister noted that investor interest in Ghana’s automotive sector has grown significantly following the country’s participation in international trade exhibitions, including the World Expo in Osaka, Japan, where Ghana won an award for Best Theme Development.
The government is also engaging various stakeholders in the automotive spare parts sector to address challenges and enhance local production capacity.