Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced a significant diplomatic breakthrough after visiting China, where GAC, a Chinese automobile manufacturer, expressed interest in establishing a manufacturing plant in Ghana, as part of a broader strategy to utilise Ghana’s lithium reserves and economic recovery for industrial transformation.
The Minister in a post on Facebook on June 26, 2025, stating that the company had given what he described as a “favourable indication” of interest during his recent visit to China.
“In our bilateral engagement on the sidelines of the ongoing China-Africa summit in Changsha, we further agreed to work towards establishing an electric car manufacturing plant in Ghana anchored on Ghana’s strategic lithium deposits,” Ablakwa revealed.
Ablakwa highlighted the long-term goals of the China-Ghana collaboration and said the government is dedicated to transforming the country via diplomacy. He also emphasized the wider commercial advantages, like as China’s zero per cent tax on Ghanaian exports, which are anticipated to increase commerce, generate employment, and support local business owners.
The UN Development Programme and Energy Commission report in November 2024 revealed Ghana’s current EV charging stations are only seven, indicating the need for infrastructure development.
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, announced plans to convert fuel stations into EV charging centres and is in discussions with Chinese manufacturer BYD to introduce new charging technologies for vehicle recharge within five to ten minutes.
This move will set Ghana as a regional hub for electric vehicle production. It aligns with global clean energy trends and sustainable development.
The plant could create thousands of jobs in mining, manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance sectors, as part of the government’s efforts to support clean energy initiatives and stimulate local industries using Ghana’s natural resources.
