Keypoints:
- $1.1bn earmarked for 2025 rollout
- Funded by petroleum and mineral revenues
- PPPs key to private investment drive
THE Ghanaian government has announced sweeping plans to channel billions of cedis into large-scale infrastructure, unveiling the ambitious ‘Big Push’ initiative to tackle the nation’s chronic development gap and boost long-term growth.
Speaking at the KPMG Infrastructure Roadshow in Accra, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem Nyarko revealed that the government will commit GH¢13.9bn (about $1.1bn) to priority infrastructure projects in 2025, with annual investment expected to rise to GH¢21.2bn (around $1.6bn) by 2028.
‘This is not a small nudge or a patch-up job. It’s an economic reset, powered by a $10bn Big Push for infrastructure development,’ Nyarko said.
Funding from natural resources
The plan will draw primarily on petroleum revenues under the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) and on mineral royalties, with the finance ministry restructuring these funds to focus on roads and transport, energy and power generation, digital infrastructure, and urban and rural development.
Nyarko highlighted that Ghana’s infrastructure needs remain acute. Estimates show the country must secure around $37bn annually over the next 30 years to meet development goals across sectors, while simply maintaining existing assets will cost an additional $8bn each year.
Persistent infrastructure gap
Ghana’s underinvestment is underscored by a score of 47 out of 100 on the Global Infrastructure Hub index, well below the lower-middle-income average. ‘Our cities need better transport. Our industries require dependable energy. Our farmers need modern irrigation. And our youth demand digital highways for the future,’ Nyarko told delegates.
Partnerships to unlock capital
While public spending will be scaled up, the Deputy Minister stressed that private investment is vital. ‘The public purse alone cannot meet these needs. The fiscal space is limited, and the demands are vast. PPPs are not just helpful — they are indispensable,’ he said.
The Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) is expected to create Special Purpose Vehicles to attract private capital, blended finance and international development funding.
Call to investors
Nyarko urged local and international investors to seize opportunities in transport, energy, digital infrastructure and urban development. ‘The framework is in place. The vision is clear. The government’s commitment under President Mahama’s leadership is unwavering. Your innovation, capital and expertise are not only welcome, they are crucial,’ he said.
The KPMG Infrastructure Roadshow, held under the theme Unlocking Ghana’s Public Private Partnership Potential: Bridging Reform and Results’ gathered policymakers, investors, engineers and business leaders to map strategies for accelerating infrastructure growth.
