The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has announced a US$100 million investment in Ghana’s Volta Ecological Zone, with an additional US$50 million project expected to support railway connectivity to the Sahelian region.
IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop disclosed the plans on Monday, September 21, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
According to Mr Diop, the railway project is intended to improve the movement of goods from Ghana’s southern corridor through the Volta River towards northern Ghana and Burkina Faso.
He said President John Dramani Mahama had raised concerns about a seven-kilometre gap in the existing railway network that needs to be addressed to connect the railway to the Volta River.
“He said we have both railway which go into the Volta River, but there is a missing seven kilometres to be able to take it to the shore of the river,” Mr Diop said.
He added that discussions had already been held with a private investor who is an existing IFC client.
Mr Diop said the IFC was initially working on a US$100 million project and was now preparing to support an additional US$50 million project.
IFC targets energy, agriculture and infrastructure
The announcement follows a meeting between Mr Diop and Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson on September 16, where they discussed ways to attract more domestic and international private capital into Ghana.
Mr Diop said the IFC has an investment pipeline of about US$1.2 billion in Ghana, with focus areas including energy, infrastructure, agriculture and job creation.
He said the corporation was also interested in helping Ghana produce locally goods that are currently imported, citing the poultry sector as an area with significant potential.
“Ghana is still on the poultry side importing a lot of poultry. There is no reason why Ghana cannot on this side be self-sufficient,” he said.
Mr Diop said the IFC’s support would also cover areas such as pharmaceuticals and energy, with the aim of strengthening local production and creating jobs.
IFC commends Ghana’s economic reforms
The IFC Managing Director also commended Ghana’s progress in addressing debt and inflation, saying the reforms had created a better environment for investment.
“We have seen that in the last few years, Ghana has turned the tide,” he said.
He said the IFC wants to work with the government to attract international investors while also strengthening Ghanaian businesses.