BoG targets diaspora billions for bonds, SMEs and infrastructure

By Joshua Worlasi AMLANU, Washington D.C

The Bank of Ghana is targetting billions of dollars in diaspora remittances for bonds, small businesses and infrastructure projects, as policymakers move to transform overseas transfers into a long-term source of investment capital, foreign exchange inflows and broader economic financing.

Central bank Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama said, at a diaspora roundtable dubbed ‘The Central Bank Bridge; Remit2Invest’  in Washington, that remittances rose to nearly US$7.8billion by the end of 2025 from about US$4.6billion in 2024.

At roughly 6 percent of gross domestic product, those inflows now exceed foreign direct investment – underlining their increasing importance to Ghana’s external position.

“Remittance inflows remain a cornerstone of Ghana’s external sector. In 2024, we recorded approximately US$4.6billion in remittances. These flows continued to rise through 2025, reaching nearly US$7.8billion by year-end. At roughly six percent of GDP, remittances now exceed foreign direct investment, underscoring its systemic importance,” Dr. Asiama said.

The central bank said it is exploring diaspora bonds and structured investment vehicles with relevant state agencies, while promoting foreign-currency-denominated investment products through supervised financial institutions. Authorities are also reviewing regulatory frameworks for cross-border flows and building more continuous engagement platforms for overseas Ghanaians.

The strategy marks part of a broader effort to diversify Ghana’s financing base after its recent debt restructuring, while reducing dependence on more volatile external capital sources. Remittance inflows are generally viewed as more stable during global downturns and domestic stress periods.

Dr. Asiama said the next phase of policy is aimed at changing how those inflows are used.

“Let me conclude by emphasising that the Ghanaian diaspora is not peripheral to our economy  – it is central to our external stability, our investment strategy and our economic transformation agenda. If harnessed well, our diaspora can become a reliable source of long-term capital, even during crises; and we must treat the diaspora as domestic investors abroad, not external senders,” he explained.

The Bank of Ghana is also leaning on digital finance tools to reduce transfer costs and settlement delays. The Governor said partnerships with fintech firms include responsible use of digital ledger and tokenisation-based models to improve speed, traceability and efficiency in cross-border remittance and investment flows, under regulatory oversight.

“We are working to ensure that when a Ghanaian in Washington or elsewhere decides to invest in Ghana  – whether in government securities, SMEs, fintech, real estate or infrastructure – the pathway is seamless, credible and rewarding,” Dr. Asiama said.

The United States remains Ghana’s largest single source of remittance inflows, making the Washington region a strategic location for the first formal roundtable. The area hosts one of the largest Ghanaian diaspora communities, with strong representation in finance, technology, healthcare and public policy.

The Governor said recent macroeconomic adjustments have improved investor confidence. Inflation has moderated, reserves have strengthened and the cedi has shown resilience following tighter policy settings and liquidity management measures, according to the central bank.

Recent policy measures have also focused on improving formal remittance capture, enhancing transparency in the foreign exchange market, supporting digital payment systems and strengthening remittance data reporting.

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