Ghana's Business Landscape Reimagined: National Airline Search, Infrastructure Boosts, and Energy Sector Stabilisation

The Government of Ghana is intensifying efforts to reshape the country's economic landscape through strategic investments in aviation, infrastructure, and energy, headlined by the formal search for a strategic partner to launch a new national airline by early 2027. Under the Ministry of Transport, the government has initiated a Request for Expression of Interest (RfEOI) due by May 29, 2026, for a strategic partner to hold a 75% equity stake in the carrier. This move aims to leverage international expertise and capital to position Accra as a dominant West African aviation hub, a goal supported by the ongoing construction of a new concourse linking Terminals 2 and 3 at Kotoka International Airport. This expansion is designed to accommodate projected passenger growth from 1.8 million to 2.5 million by 2025, introducing new boarding bridges and retail facilities to enhance the traveller experience.

Simultaneously, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has provided immediate relief to consumers by announcing fuel price reductions effective May 1, 2026. Under the new bi-monthly review, petrol will be priced at GH¢13.25 per litre, while diesel has seen a more significant drop of GH¢1.80, bringing it to GH¢14.30 per litre. While these adjustments reflect stabilised global crude prices and exchange rates, the NPA continues to stress industry discipline. Chief Executive Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe has urged oil marketing companies, including GOIL PLC, to prioritise safety systems and risk prevention over short-term profits, warning that the environmental and human costs of safety lapses far outweigh any financial gains.

The energy and power sectors are also undergoing critical transformations to support industrial growth. The Ministry of Energy recently announced that three of the six generation units at the Akosombo hydro plant have been restored following a fire that hampered national power evacuation. This recovery, combined with the Electricity Company of Ghana’s (ECG) Transformer Upgrade and Replacement Programme (TURP), aims to stabilise the grid despite challenges with obsolete infrastructure. In the upstream sector, Tullow Oil is moving forward with plans to boost production at the Jubilee Field by 2026, despite a recent 87% slump in annual profits caused by production hits and government payment delays.

Looking ahead, the completion of the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal remains a priority for economic transformation, with the first phase already over 80% complete. This facility is expected to ease congestion at coastal ports and facilitate smoother trade for landlocked neighbours. These domestic developments are unfolding against a backdrop of global energy shifts, most notably the United Arab Emirates' decision to exit OPEC after 60 years. For Ghana, the convergence of these aviation, logistics, and energy initiatives represents a comprehensive attempt to mitigate inflation and cement the nation's position as a primary gateway for regional trade and investment.