The American Chamber of Commerce Ghana’s Energy, Environment & Infrastructure (EEI) Committee held its quarterly meeting, chaired by the Committee Chairman, Mr. John Swatson of Baker Hughes, bringing together industry leaders and stakeholders from Ghana’s energy, extractives, infrastructure, and power sectors to discuss key operational challenges, investment opportunities, and policy priorities impacting the business environment.

The meeting was attended by representatives and leaders from Kosmos Energy, Halliburton, General Electric, Accra EV House, EDM Resources, Dutylex, Akwa Limited, as well as representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Ghana. Discussions focused on local content implementation, investment competitiveness, energy sector developments, infrastructure planning, taxation, and emerging opportunities in electric mobility.

Mining Sector Raises Local Content and Payment Concerns

Participants from the mining sector highlighted ongoing challenges associated with the transition from owner-mining to contract mining models, noting the impact on local suppliers and service providers. Concerns were raised regarding delayed payments within the mining supply chain, which continue to place financial pressure on local businesses.

Members also discussed growing concerns over the increasing participation of foreign entities in segments reserved for local content participation, stressing the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms and clearer regulatory standards. Suggestions included reviewing entry requirements and strengthening monitoring systems to ensure fair competition and genuine local participation.

Oil & Gas Industry Signals Renewed Optimism

Stakeholders in the upstream oil and gas sector expressed optimism about renewed investment activity following recent government interventions aimed at restoring investor confidence. Members noted that several international companies are reconsidering opportunities in Ghana, with significant new investments currently being discussed within the sector.

At the same time, concerns were raised regarding production sustainability, drilling activity, and the importance of maintaining gas supply commitments to support national energy security. Participants emphasized that Ghana’s oil and gas resources remain strategically important to the country’s economic growth and industrial development agenda.

Electric Vehicle Adoption Faces Policy Barriers

The Committee also discussed the growing interest in electric vehicles (EVs) and the opportunities for Ghana to participate in the global energy transition. Industry representatives identified high import duties and taxes on EVs as major barriers limiting market growth and investment.

Participants noted that reducing fiscal barriers could help stimulate EV adoption, support future local assembly initiatives, and position Ghana as a regional hub for electric mobility. The need for broader policy alignment between energy, transportation, and industrialization strategies was also emphasized.

Infrastructure and Power Sector Discussions

Members expressed concern over inconsistent national infrastructure planning and the impact of project discontinuity across political administrations. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) were identified as a potential pathway for accelerating infrastructure development, provided there is a stable regulatory and contractual framework.

Discussions also touched on challenges within the power sector, particularly around revenue leakages, delayed payments, and operational inefficiencies affecting the broader energy ecosystem.

Moving Forward

The Committee agreed on the importance of strengthening engagement with government agencies and regulators on issues relating to local content, taxation, infrastructure, and energy policy. Members are also committed to consolidating sector-specific concerns and recommendations into structured advocacy initiatives to support Ghana’s investment climate and long-term economic growth.

The AmCham West Africa Energy Roundtable, held on the margins of the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC 2026) in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, brought together senior government officials, national oil companies, international operators, service companies, and financial institutions from Ghana, Nigeria, and the U.S. private sector to examine one central question: how does West Africa convert its energy potential into durable investment and long-term value?

The event was co-hosted by Doris Kafui Afanyedey, Chief Executive Officer of the American Chamber of Commerce Ghana, and Margaret Olele, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary of the American Business Council Nigeria — a partnership that reflected the growing coordination between West Africa’s two leading AmCham platforms. Co-organising partners included the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), the Ghana-Houston Chamber of Commerce, and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

A Moment of Strategic Opportunity

The roundtable was moderated by Mr. Simon Madjie, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, and Mr. Joe M. Mensah, Senior Vice President and Head of Ghana Business Unit at Kosmos Energy LLC. Together, they guided a high-level conversation grounded in candour: West Africa’s energy significance is rising precisely because global energy markets are fragmented, supply routes are disrupted, and governments worldwide are reassessing energy security. The region’s deepwater capability, growing gas reserves, Atlantic-facing export routes, and established producers position it well — but, as panellists emphasized, relevance alone does not attract capital. Capital is disciplined, and it flows to environments where contracts are stable, infrastructure is in place, and execution risk is manageable.

Ghana’s Investment Landscape

Ing. Dr. Robert Kofei Larkey, Deputy CEO (Technical) of Ghana National Gas Limited, outlined a compelling near-term investment pipeline. Priority projects include a second gas processing plant, a new transmission compressor station to boost throughput across the national network and expanded pipeline infrastructure connecting Ghana’s western producing corridor to industrial demand centres in the east. The Voltarian Basin inland exploration programme was flagged as a frontier opportunity for investors willing to take early-entry exploration upside.

Mr. Hamis Usuf, Deputy Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), reinforced the institutional commitment to attracting the right capital partners,noting that GNPC’s mandatory participation role in all upstream petroleum operations positions it as a capable and commercially oriented partner, not merely a regulatory presence.

Mr. Joe Mensah of Kosmos Energy cited the landmark fiscal stability arrangement negotiated with the current administration, regulatory continuity through 2040 in exchange for a two-billion-dollar investment commitment, and lower domestic gas prices as a direct example of how responsive government engagement unlocks capital. The result: a commitment to drill annually going forward. When incentive terms align with investor risk, capital responds.

Nigeria: Scale, Reform, and Maturity

Mr. Abayomi Salami, Director of Policy at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, outlined Nigeria’s energy reform agenda, including the gas-to-power programme, decentralised renewable energy initiatives, and the government’s ambition to raise electricity access from 40% to 90% by 2030, requiring a tenfold increase in generation capacity. He described the investment environment as increasingly structured and promotion-ready, with NIPC actively facilitating entry for credible investors.

Sopiribo (Sops) Ideriah, Global Operations Leader at SLB, provided a seasoned investor’s perspective on what it takes to finance West African energy assets, emphasising the importance of fiscal predictability, the quality of local partnership, and the critical link between consistent drilling activity and meaningful local content development.

Cecilia Umoren, Chairman of the Women in Energy Network Nigeria, made a compelling case for deliberate inclusion, noting that research consistently demonstrates that companies with women in leadership deliver stronger bottom-line results. She called on both governments and private sector actors to treat gender diversity not as a social programme but as a commercial imperative.

Local Content: Quality Over Quantity

Craig Bebee, Senior Business Development Leader at Halliburton, and Eng. Benedict Tandoh, CEO and Managing Director of BBS Engineering Limited, offered complementary perspectives on the Ghana local content experience. Halliburton’s commitment to Ghana is real, Bebee noted, but investment in local facilities and personnel requires the certainty of sustained activity. Tandoh described the structured joint venture model in which BBS has been progressively building technical capacity, with Halliburton engineers embedded in live projects, enabling genuine knowledge transfer over time.

Chijioke Uwaegbute, PWC Leader for Oil and Gas in Nigeria, brought a financing and governance lens to the discussion, underscoring that the most fundable companies are those that invest in governance quality, audited financials, and management credibility, not just asset ownership.

Closing Commitment

The roundtable concluded with a commitment to produce a position document articulating West Africa’s collective energy perspective for submission to the U.S. State Department and relevant federal bodies. Participants left with a shared understanding: the opportunity window is real but not permanent. Other regions are competing. The countries and companies that move with clarity, discipline, and speed will attract the partnerships that matter.

AmCham Ghana will continue to advance this agenda through its Policy Advocacy and Trade and Investment pillars and looks forward to deepening U.S.–Ghana commercial ties in the energy sector.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana participated in the Offshore Technology Conference 2026 (OTC 2026) in Houston, Texas, joining global energy leaders, investors, policymakers, and technology innovators at one of the world’s premier energy conferences.

For AmCham Ghana, OTC 2026 was more than just a conference. It was an important opportunity to strengthen relationships, deepen conversations around investment and innovation, and position Ghana as a strategic destination for energy and infrastructure partnerships.

Throughout the week, the Ghana delegation engaged with U.S. companies, industry executives, and strategic stakeholders on issues shaping the future of the global energy industry, including upstream investment, gas commercialization, energy transition, infrastructure development, local content, and technology-driven solutions for emerging markets.

The conference also provided a valuable platform to highlight Ghana’s role as one of West Africa’s most stable and investment-friendly markets, while showcasing opportunities for deeper collaboration between Ghanaian stakeholders and U.S. businesses across the energy value chain.

A key highlight for the Chamber was the opportunity to facilitate and support strategic engagements that connected Ghanaian interests with global investors and industry leaders. Discussions focused not only on investment opportunities, but also on how partnerships can drive sustainable growth, innovation, skills development, and long-term economic impact for Ghana and the region.

The participation further reinforced AmCham Ghana’s commitment to serving as a bridge between Ghana and the United States business communities, creating platforms for dialogue, partnership, and commercial engagement that support both private sector growth and national development priorities.

Beyond the meetings and conference sessions, OTC also offered an opportunity to strengthen relationships with existing partners, build new networks, and exchange ideas with fellow AmChams and business leaders from across the world. These interactions continue to be invaluable in shaping how Ghana positions itself within the evolving global energy landscape.

As the global energy industry continues to evolve, AmCham Ghana remains committed to championing conversations and partnerships that support responsible investment, innovation, competitiveness, and energy security for Ghana and Africa.

The Chamber looks forward to translating the engagements and connections made at OTC 2026 into meaningful opportunities and impactful collaborations for its members and stakeholders.

The UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana joined forces to host a joyous night in celebration of International Jazz Day and a charity fundraiser. Held at the Four Points by Sheraton in Accra, the impactful event had in attendance business leaders, Diplomats, and corporate executives, who are members of both Chambers of Commerce.

In their opening remarks, Doris Kafui Afanyedey, CEO of AmCham Ghana and Executive Director of UKGCC, Adjoba Kyiamah mentioned the cordial diplomatic and economic standing relationship between Ghana and the two nations, the United States and the UK. In addition, several corporate entities were recognized for their visibility and generous contributions, strengthening the public-private partnership in Ghana. A heartfelt gratitude was extended to THE COCA-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY OF GHANA LIMITED (EQUATORIAL COCA-COLA), Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC, Acadia Industries Limited (Tampico), Digital Data Center, Forms Capital Limited, Digital Realty, AXIS PENSION TRUST LTD., and The Four Points by Sheraton for sponsoring the noble event.

Members of both Chambers swayed to timeless music, celebrating the Universal language of music while fostering meaningful networking opportunities. The highlights of the evening were the announcement of the fundraising, which will go directly in support of Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital, with proceeds contributing towards the acquisition of essential neonatal equipment for newborn care, and the presentation of Membership Certificates by AmCham Ghana President KIMATHI KUENYEHIA to the chamber’s newest Platinum, Gold, and Corporate members.

The evening concluded with a note of thanks to all attending members and a promise to strengthen the AmCham Ghana – UKGCC partnership.

A Link to the Charity Fundraiser can be found below: https://lnkd.in/dxh8Mz6a

View Event Photos here : https://amchamghana.pixieset.com/amchamukgccjazzandjive/

Leaders of American Chambers of Commerce (AmChams) and American Business Councils from across Africa convened at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for a high-level engagement focused on strengthening U.S.–Africa trade, investment, and commercial diplomacy partnerships.

The session, hosted by the U.S. Africa Business Center, brought together AmCham executives, U.S. government representatives, diplomats, and private sector leaders to discuss opportunities for deeper collaboration, market access, and investment facilitation across the African continent including the CEO of AmCham Ghana Doris Kafui Afanyedey and  Jane Okyere Aduachie, Manager Member and Special Projects.

Opening the session, Kendra Gaither, President of the U.S. Africa Business Center, underscored the critical role AmChams play as engines of growth and trusted bridges between U.S. businesses and African markets. She noted that AmChams continue to serve as key translators between governments, investors, and the private sector, helping to unlock long-term trade and investment opportunities.

The engagement featured presentations from representatives of the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the U.S. Department of State on U.S. government tools and commercial diplomacy strategies available to support American companies operating across Africa. Discussions highlighted financing opportunities, strategic infrastructure projects, critical minerals, advanced technology, AI, healthcare, and energy investments.

A major focus of the discussions centered on the U.S. government’s evolving commercial diplomacy strategy for Africa, including closer collaboration with AmChams to identify business environment constraints, advocate for policy reforms, and create stronger pathways for U.S. private sector participation in African economies.

The forum also provided a platform for African business leaders and ambassadors to address investment perceptions and opportunities in emerging and frontier markets, particularly in the Sahel region. Representatives from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger emphasized the importance of economic partnerships, private sector engagement, and strategic investment as critical drivers of long-term stability and development.

During the best practices segment, the CEO of American Business Council Nigeria, Margaret Olele, shared insights on governance, financial sustainability, advocacy, membership value creation, and strategic engagement with governments and the U.S. Embassy network. Discussions reinforced the importance of strong governance structures, policy advocacy, member services, and collaborative regional partnerships in building credible and impactful AmCham institutions across Africa.

The session further highlighted growing opportunities in digital trade, AI policy, and technology partnerships, with participants encouraged to engage proactively on evolving regulatory frameworks shaping Africa’s digital economy.

For the American Chamber of Commerce Ghana delegation, the engagement provided valuable opportunities to deepen relationships with senior U.S. government officials, the U.S. Chamber network, and peer AmChams across Africa. The discussions offered strategic insights into emerging U.S. investment priorities, financing mechanisms, commercial diplomacy tools, and best practices in advocacy, governance, and member engagement that can further strengthen AmCham Ghana’s ongoing “AmCham 2.0” transformation agenda.

The American Chamber of Commerce Ghana (AmCham Ghana) hosted the Managing Director of CCI France Ghana, Ms. Maxine Reindorf-Partey, on Monday, 20th April 2026, for a courtesy visit at the Chamber’s secretariat in East Legon, Accra.

The visit, which brought together Ms. Reindorf-Partey and AmCham Ghana’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Doris Kafui Afanyedey, centred on strengthening institutional ties between the two Chambers and identifying practical areas for collaboration in support of the broader business community in Ghana.

Discussions spanned a range of strategic priorities, including the development of a joint events pipeline, notably a cross-membership matchmaking session targeting key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and financial services, as well as collaboration on trade missions and trade services, drawing on CCI France Ghana’s established model of organising business delegations to major international trade events.

Both Chambers also explored opportunities to align their respective member engagement strategies and expand access to investment and market entry support for companies operating across the U.S.–Ghana and France–Ghana business corridors.

The meeting signals a growing momentum toward a formalised partnership framework between AmCham Ghana and CCI France Ghana, with further engagements planned in the coming weeks.

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The American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana (AmCham Ghana) held a strategic engagement session with new member Confidence Commodity Limited, represented by its Managing Director, George Tetteh. The meeting offered a platform to explore collaboration opportunities, exchange industry insights, and identify areas of mutual support within the Chamber’s business ecosystem.

Discussions centered on strengthening private sector participation in Ghana’s agricultural value chain, deepening understanding of cocoa sector operations, and charting pathways for sustainable agribusiness growth.

Understanding Ghana’s Cocoa Industry

A significant portion of the engagement was devoted to Ghana’s cocoa production ecosystem, its structured value chain and the processes underpinning harvesting, fermentation, drying, and quality control. George Tetteh offered detailed perspectives on Ghana’s cocoa standards, underscoring the rigorous quality assurance processes that have positioned Ghanaian cocoa among the most premium and globally recognized products of its kind.

The discussion also highlighted the indispensable role of institutional stakeholders within the sector, regulatory, research, and quality assurance bodies whose work ensures the consistency and competitiveness of Ghana’s cocoa exports on the world market.

Sector Challenges and Market Realities

Participants examined operational challenges currently facing players in the cocoa industry, including payment timelines, pricing structures, and liquidity pressures affecting licensed buying companies and smallholder farmers alike. The broader implications of delayed payments across the supply chain were discussed at length, alongside the urgent need for innovative, systemic solutions that can improve efficiency, financial stability, and trust throughout the sector.

Innovation in Agribusiness Financing and Farmer Support

The engagement surfaced several forward-looking models being deployed to improve farm productivity and support farmers at the grassroots level. These included structured farm management systems, crop monitoring frameworks, insurance-backed financing mechanisms, and operational models designed to increase yields while strengthening accountability and transparency.

Confidence Commodity Limited also shared how technology and data-driven tools are being integrated into farm management and harvest tracking — reinforcing their commitment to sustainable production and long-term value creation across the agribusiness chain.

Collaboration Opportunities

AmCham Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to supporting member companies through strategic introductions, enhanced business visibility, and curated platforms for cross-sector collaboration and growth. The Chamber expressed keen interest in deepening its engagement within the agribusiness space, particularly in connecting stakeholders with relevant partners, investors, and members across its network.

Looking Ahead

As AmCham Ghana continues to extend its reach across strategic sectors of the economy, the Chamber remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering partnerships that advance innovation, sustainability, and long-term business growth. The Chamber will maintain active dialogue with agriculture and agribusiness leaders to better understand emerging opportunities and identify collaborative pathways that contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economic development.

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