Background
In 2020, the Ministry of Business Development, through its Implementing Agency, the National Entrepreneurs and Innovation Program (NEIP), and the private sector formed a seven-member committee to lead the drafting and advocacy for the passage of the Ghana Startup Bill.
The committee, made up of representatives from the NEIP, Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs, Ghana Hubs Network, Ghana Startups Network, Private Enterprise Federation, and Ghana Digital Centeres Limited, started its work in October 2020.
The committee has engaged relevant stakeholders, including MDAs, MMDAs, and the private sector. A draft bill was developed from the engagements, which have since gone through many engagements and reviews.
Know the Ghana Innovation & Startups Act
Overview of the Act
The Ghana Innovation and Startups Act project is a joint initiative by Ghana’s private sector and the Government to enhance the startup ecosystem through co-created legislation. The Act will establish various principles and support legislation required to promote entrepreneurial development in Ghana. The bill will create an enabling environment for startups’ growth, attraction, and investment protection.s
The Case for Ghana Innovation and Startup Act
The Ghana Innovation and Startup Act is essential to address challenges faced by entrepreneurs and foster a thriving startup ecosystem. Key reasons include:
Youth Entrepreneurship:
Supports young entrepreneurs and reduces unemployment
Promotes Innovation:
Encourages creativity and economic growth
Access to Funding
Provides financial resources through grants, loans, and venture capital.
Streamlined Regulations:
Simplifies the regulatory environment for startups.
Private Sector Participation:
Attracts investment through incentives.
Job Creation
Boosts employment, especially in tech, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Collaboration
Fosters partnerships between startups, industry, and research institutions.
Foreign Investment:
Ensures benefits reach all, including women and marginalized groups.
Inclusive Growth
Ensures benefits reach all, including women and marginalized groups.
National Development
Aligns with Ghana’s broader goals, contributing to economic self-reliance.
Timeline - The Journey So Far
Stakeholders Engaged So Far
Government/Public Sector
- Ministry of Trade and Industry
- Ghana Revenue Authority,
- Register General Department
- National Youth Authority,
- Ghana Standards Authority,
- Food and Drugs Authority,
- Ghana Investment Promotion Center,
- Ghana Venture Capital Trust Fund,
- NBSSI (GEA)
- Ministry of Environment Science, Technology and Innovation,
- Environmental Protection Agency,
- National Petroleum Authority.
- Attorney Generals Department
Private Sector
- Young Entrepreneurs,
- Association of Oil Marketing Companies,
- Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications,
- Impatch Investing Ghana
- Ghana Chamber of Mines,
- Association of Ghana Industries,
- Association of Small-Scale Industries, Ghana
- Association of Bankers,
- Ghana Employers Association,
- Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors
- Ghana Music Business Alliance Group
- Tech startups
- Angel Investors Network
- FinTech Startups
DPs, Accademia & Others
- UNDP
- NPP
- NDC
- CPP
- University of Ghana Business School,
- Valley View University
- KNUST
News and Updates
Stakeholders Convened Urgent Retreat to Consolidate Ghana Innovations and Startups Bill
A diverse coalition of stakeholders has gathered at the Hill View Hotel in Abokobi for an intensive three-day retreat to finalize a consolidated Ghana Innovations and Startups Bill. With a sense of urgency driving the discussions, the stakeholders’ working group is focused on producing a unified draft of the bill that will bolster Ghana’s startup ecosystem. The retreat underscores an inclusive, participatory approach, bringing together key voices from government, industry, and the startup community to ensure the legislation addresses real-world needs.
Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs Launches Stakeholder Dialogues on Ghana Innovation and Startups Bill
The Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs (GCYE) has commenced a series of stakeholder dialogues across five regions to foster inclusive engagement on the Ghana Innovation and Startups Bill. Covering Greater Accra, Ashanti, Bono, and Volta regions, these dialogues aim to unite private and public sector stakeholders in discussions that will strengthen and refine the bill’s provisions.
Ghana Digital Centers’ CEO Volunteers To Support
The Technical Working Committee of the Ghana Startup Bill (GSB) has paid a courtesy call on the new Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Digital Centers Limited (GDLC), Hon. Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, at his office.
Start-ups need support mechanism to make profit – Sherif Ghali
Coordinator for Ghana Startup Bill Technical Working Committee, Sherif Ghali says startups need a support mechanism to cushion them till they start to make profit.
Draft Start-up Bill goes through validation
The Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) has, through its Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) Project, organised a validation workshop for businesses in the Ashanti Region on the Ghana Start-Up and Innovation Bill.
40 percent of start-up businesses in Ghana do not make profit – CEO
Majority of them also lack access to finance, market, infrastructural and innovation support, as well as the skills development required to sustain these entities, he stated.
Young entrepreneurs to be engaged on Ghana’s startup bill
The technical working committee of the Ghana Startup Bill is set to hold a 1 day consultative workshop for startups and young entrepreneurs to solicit their views and inputs into the Bill which seeks to deliver an incentive framework for the creation and development of Startups in Ghana to promote creativity, innovation and the use of new technologies in achieving a strong added value and competitiveness at the national, regional and district levels
Stakeholder consultation on Ghana startup bill begins.
The technical working committee of the Ghana Startup Bill held a three-day Consultative retreat with key stakeholders to fine-tune the first draft of the most anticipated Ghana Startup Bill.
Have some ideas or want to contribute to the Bill? Share
The Ghana Innovation and Startups Bill
The Bill will provide an incentive framework for the creation and development of Startups in Ghana to promote creativity, innovation, and new technologies in achieving substantial added value and competitiveness.
Note: The Bill is still undergoing some reviews, so the final version might vary. This is the current version of the draft bill.
The Technical Working Committee
The GISB committee comprises representatives from the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme, The Ghana Digital Centers Limited, the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs, the Ghana Hubs Network, the Ghana Startup Network, the Private Enterprise Federation and other experts.
Franklin Owusu-Karikari
Sherif Ghali
Freda Yawson
David Offori
Josiah Eyison
Wisdom Adongo
Solomon Adjie
Ernest Agyenim-Boateng
Yaw Edu-Gyamfi
Edward Akins
Frequently Asked Questions
The Ghana Innovation and Startup Bill is a proposed legislation aimed at fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and the growth of startups in Ghana.
With an estimated $400 million in recent funding, Ghana’s startup ecosystem shows promising growth. However, limited legislation, high compliance costs, and regulatory uncertainty hinder scalability.
The digital economy, projected to add $20 billion to Ghana’s GDP by 2025, is crucial for innovation, job creation, and research. Yet, Ghanaian startups face high capital demands and delayed revenue.
With supportive policies from the Ghana Innovation and Startup Bill, Ghana can maximize its digital economy’s potential and foster a robust, innovation-driven future.
promote innovation and startups, which can boost economic growth, create jobs, and drive technological advancement in Ghana.
The bill include provisions related to funding mechanisms, tax incentives, intellectual property protection, regulatory simplification, and support for research and development.
The bill is expected to provide startups with access to funding, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, protect their intellectual property, and create a favorable ecosystem for growth.
At the moment the bill is undergoing final stakeholder engagement pending to be presented to parliament through cabinet for passage earlier next year.
Startups and entrepreneurs can consult with legal experts, industry associations, and government agencies to understand the specific provisions and benefits available to them under the bill.
The bill may cover a wide range of businesses and innovations, but it’s important to review the specific language of the bill to determine eligibility criteria.
Yes! The bill include provisions for Ghana Innovation and Startup Fund.
You can stay updated by regularly checking government websites, following news related to innovation and entrepreneurship in Ghana, and subscribing to newsletters or updates from relevant authorities.
Yes, You can contact any member of the Technical Working Committee, or simple use this website to submit your inputs. express your views and suggestions.
Government and Development Partners
Ecosystem Partners
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info@ghanastartupbill.org