GIPC CEO Simon Madjie Elected WAIPA Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa: Wins 2025 Aftercare Excellence Award

Introduction

In a landmark achievement for Ghana’s investment landscape, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) CEO, Simon Madjie, has been elected as the WAIPA Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa. This election occurred at the 29th WAIPA World Investment Conference in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Additionally, GIPC received the prestigious 2025 Aftercare Excellence Award, outshining competitors including Zimbabwe’s Investment Promotion Agency (ZIDA). These wins highlight GIPC’s leadership in foreign direct investment (FDI) promotion and investor aftercare in emerging markets.

This development underscores Ghana’s growing prominence in Sub-Saharan Africa investment promotion. For investors eyeing opportunities in Africa, understanding GIPC’s role and WAIPA’s global network is essential. Keywords like “GIPC CEO WAIPA election,” “Sub-Saharan Africa FDI,” and “investment aftercare best practices” signal the strategic importance of these events for sustainable economic growth.

Context of the WAIPA Conference

The conference, themed “Transforming Our World: Investing for a Resilient and Sustainable Future,” gathered global investment promotion agencies (IPAs) to discuss FDI strategies aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). GIPC’s success here positions Ghana as a hub for resilient investment frameworks in Africa.

Analysis

The dual accomplishments of GIPC—election to the WAIPA Steering Committee as Regional Director for 2025-2027 and the Aftercare Excellence Award—reflect a strategic pivot in Sub-Saharan Africa investment promotion. Simon Madjie’s leadership has propelled GIPC to compete effectively against regional peers, demonstrating robust investor retention programs.

Breaking Down the Election Process

GIPC secured the Regional Director position through a competitive bid at the WAIPA conference. This role on the Steering Committee involves global representation of Sub-Saharan African IPAs, emphasizing coordinated FDI initiatives. The win against ZIDA illustrates GIPC’s superior regional outreach, including roadshows under the Investment Opportunity Mapping Project (IOMP), which profiles investment-ready projects across Ghana’s 261 districts.

Significance of the Aftercare Excellence Award

The 2025 Aftercare Excellence Award recognizes GIPC’s innovative post-investment support, focusing on investor retention, issue resolution, and innovation facilitation. WAIPA Executive Director Ismail Ersahin praised this model as a benchmark for emerging markets, setting new standards in investor confidence. Such aftercare is critical, as studies from organizations like UNCTAD show that effective post-investment services can increase FDI retention by up to 30% in developing regions.

These achievements align with Ghana’s national initiatives, such as President Mahama’s 24-Hour Economy and Export Development Programme and the Big Push Agenda. These programs promote business transformation, economic resilience, and public-private partnerships, attracting both foreign and domestic investors.

Summary

At the 29th WAIPA World Investment Conference, GIPC CEO Simon Madjie was elected Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa for 2025-2027, while GIPC clinched the 2025 Aftercare Excellence Award. These milestones affirm GIPC’s commitment to world-class investment ecosystems, investor aftercare, and sustainable FDI. Simon Madjie expressed gratitude to WAIPA members and invited them to the Ghana International Investment Summit in August 2026, spotlighting sectors like agribusiness, renewable energy, digital innovation, manufacturing, and tourism.

Key Points

Practical Advice

For investors interested in Sub-Saharan Africa FDI opportunities, engaging with GIPC offers practical pathways. Start by registering investments via GIPC’s online portal, which streamlines approvals under Ghana’s GIPC Act 2013 (Act 865). Leverage IOMP for district-level project insights.

Steps for FDI in Ghana

1. Research Opportunities: Use GIPC’s investment profiles in high-potential sectors like agribusiness and renewables.
2. Aftercare Utilization: Benefit from GIPC’s award-winning support for issue resolution and expansion.
3. Network via WAIPA: Connect through Simon Madjie’s regional role for pan-African collaborations.
4. Attend Summits: Participate in the 2026 Ghana International Investment Summit for direct access to opportunities.

Pedagogically, treat aftercare as a lifecycle component: pre-investment (promotion), investment (facilitation), and post-investment (retention). GIPC exemplifies this holistic approach, enhancing ROI for FDI in emerging markets.

Points of Caution

While GIPC’s achievements boost confidence, investors should exercise due diligence. Monitor Ghana’s economic indicators, such as inflation and currency stability, via sources like the World Bank. Comply with local content requirements under the GIPC Act, mandating technology transfer and job creation for foreigners.

Risk Mitigation Strategies

Avoid over-reliance on single markets; diversify across Sub-Saharan Africa. Verify project viability through independent audits. Stay updated on policy shifts, as investment climates evolve. WAIPA’s Compendium of Best Practices, released at the conference, provides verifiable frameworks for risk assessment.

Comparison

Compared to ZIDA, GIPC’s win highlights superior aftercare and regional mapping. Globally, GIPC’s model rivals top IPAs like Singapore’s EDB or InvestKL Malaysia, but tailored for Africa’s context. In Sub-Saharan Africa, GIPC outperforms peers in FDI inflows—Ghana attracted $4.9 billion in 2023 per UNCTAD data—versus regional averages.

Table: GIPC vs. Regional Peers

Data sourced from UNCTAD World Investment Report 2024. GIPC’s edge lies in integrated promotion-aftercare cycles.

Legal Implications

No direct legal changes stem from these awards, but they reinforce compliance with Ghana’s GIPC Act 2013, which governs FDI registration, incentives, and restrictions (e.g., 100% foreign ownership in most sectors except land). Investors gain assurance from GIPC’s global benchmarking, aiding dispute resolution via international arbitration clauses. WAIPA affiliations promote adherence to global standards like the ICSID Convention, to which Ghana is a signatory.

Conclusion

Simon Madjie’s election as WAIPA Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa and GIPC’s 2025 Aftercare Excellence Award mark a new era for Ghana’s FDI ecosystem. These validate proactive strategies like IOMP and national agendas, inviting global investors to build sustainable legacies. As Madjie stated, this is “not just an honour for GIPC, but confirmation of Ghana’s dedication to a world-class investment ecosystem.” Prospective investors should prioritize aftercare-focused IPAs like GIPC for long-term success in Africa.

FAQ