Sustainable Export Processing Zones Development in Ghana: An Ecosystem and Benchmarking Report

This report by the African Center for Economic Transformation evaluates the sustainability of Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in Ghana. It finds that after 25 years, the EPZ model has failed to meet many of its original objectives and lacks integration with broader industrial policies, environmental standards, and anti-corruption measures. The report recommends a comprehensive policy overhaul, increased private sector involvement in infrastructure, and the adoption of climate-friendly investment strategies.

• Ghana's EPZ program lacks integration with the government's broader development agenda and industrial policies, resulting in a failure to increase the multiplier effects of zone activities. Furthermore, the current reporting and compliance systems for incentives are unreliable, leading to revenue leakages and abuse of the free zones scheme.
• Environmental sustainability in Ghana's EPZs is currently rudimentary, with the Tema enclave showing minimal progress. The model lacks integrated sustainable infrastructure, low-carbon policy incentives, and carbon finance, while some single-factory zones lack basic pollution abatement technology.
• Social sustainability is hindered by prevalent corruption and a lack of corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects. In the Tema enclave, the absence of CSR has led to animosity and litigation between firms and local government authorities, who have responded by levying contentious taxes to fund local development.
• Technological adoption within the zones is minimal and driven primarily by firm strength and market conditions rather than strategic promotion. Barriers to advancement include the high cost of technology and a lack of adequate labor skills.
• The report recommends that the Ministry of Trade and Industry develop a comprehensive policy for EPZ management and that the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) Act and its guiding legislative instruments be reviewed to reduce corruption and prioritize sustainability.

APA

Moors, R. (2022). Sustainable Export Processing Zones Development in Ghana: An Ecosystem and Benchmarking Report. African Center for Economic Transformation. https://acetforafrica.org/research-and-analysis/reports-studies/reports/sustainable-export-processing-zones-development-in-ghana-an-ecosystem-and-benchmarking-report/

Chicago

Moors, Rik. Sustainable Export Processing Zones Development in Ghana: An Ecosystem and Benchmarking Report. African Center for Economic Transformation, 2022. https://acetforafrica.org/research-and-analysis/reports-studies/reports/sustainable-export-processing-zones-development-in-ghana-an-ecosystem-and-benchmarking-report/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Moors |first1=Rik |title=Sustainable Export Processing Zones Development in Ghana: An Ecosystem and Benchmarking Report |publisher=African Center for Economic Transformation |date=11 November 2022 |url=https://acetforafrica.org/research-and-analysis/reports-studies/reports/sustainable-export-processing-zones-development-in-ghana-an-ecosystem-and-benchmarking-report/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{moors2022sustainable, author = {Moors, Rik}, title = {{Sustainable Export Processing Zones Development in Ghana: An Ecosystem and Benchmarking Report}}, institution = {African Center for Economic Transformation}, year = {2022}, month = nov, url = {https://acetforafrica.org/research-and-analysis/reports-studies/reports/sustainable-export-processing-zones-development-in-ghana-an-ecosystem-and-benchmarking-report/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }