Over 100 public and private sector stakeholders convened in Accra for the Ghana Diaspora Investment(GDI) Forum 2025, a high-level platform focused on harnessing diaspora capital for sustainable development.
Organised by Global Affairs Canada, Fidelity Bank Ghana Limited, and GIZ Ghana (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH), the event took place during the 2025 Africa Impact Summit and emphasised the transformative power of diaspora investment.
The forum brought together government agencies, development partners, financial institutions, and diaspora-focused organizations, including the Diaspora Affairs Office of the President, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Impact Investing Ghana/Savanah Impact Advisory, Opportunity International Canada (OIC), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
In her opening remarks, the High Commissioner of Canada to Ghana, H.E. Myriam Montrat, emphasized the importance of mobilizing diaspora financial flows.
“Diaspora engagement is a cornerstone of Canada’s foreign policy in Ghana. Beyond remittances, we see diaspora capital as a strategic asset for national development,” she said.
Montrat called for tailored policy reforms and investment tools to position Ghana as a credible and profitable investment destination.
The Forum addressed the need for fit-for-purpose mechanisms to channel remittances into productive sectors.
In 2024 alone, diaspora remittances to Ghana amounted to US$6.65 billion, surpassing foreign direct investment (US$1.73 billion) and official development assistance combined.
These flows represent approximately 6% of Ghana’s GDP, with the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, and Canada as leading sources.
The Ghanaian diaspora, estimated at over 100,000 in Canada and more than 230,000 in the United States, includes professionals in healthcare, education, government, and trade.
While much of their remittances support household consumption, the Forum focused on shifting this trend toward long-term, job-creating investments.
“Our diaspora is one of the most strategic sources of investment capital, knowledge transfer, and global networks that can accelerate Ghana’s growth and development.”
The Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Kofi Okyere-Darko emphasized that the role of the diaspora in supporting national development should not be underestimated.
Country Director of GIZ Ghana, Dr. Dirk Aßmann, highlighted the role of innovative financing platforms like WIDU.africa, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
“WIDU turns remittances into business capital by matching diaspora contributions with grants and providing tailored business coaching. Over 1,700 entrepreneurs in Ghana have benefited, over 50% of them women,” he noted.
Fidelity Bank shared its roadmap for a Diaspora Renewable Energy and Waste Management Fund, while Impact Investing Ghana introduced a strategy for establishing a national Diaspora Investment Fund.
These initiatives aim to provide credible channels for diaspora to invest in scalable, impact-driven ventures.
The Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Ghana, Julian Opuni, underscored the importance of unlocking diaspora resources to drive impactful, locally grounded development.
He stated: “At Fidelity Bank, we recognize the powerful role Ghana’s diaspora can play in shaping transformative national development. Through innovative investment vehicles—such as the Renewable Energy and Waste Management Fund—we are creating meaningful pathways that channel diaspora capital into projects with real impact on lives and livelihoods. This Forum reinforces the truth that when finance is guided by purpose, it becomes a catalyst for inclusive growth and lasting change.”
EU Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Irchad Razaaly, stressed the European Union’s support for development-oriented migration partnerships.
“Unlocking diaspora capital is not just about financing. With the right framework, the diaspora can be an engine of inclusive growth; EU remains committed to creating pathways for diaspora investment as a bridge between migration and sustainable development.”
The forum concluded with a shared commitment from partners to develop transparent, secure, and scalable investment vehicles that support inclusive growth and economic resilience.
Canada reaffirmed its dedication to working alongside stakeholders to monitor and enhance the implementation of these tools.