Ghana has emerged as a regional frontrunner in financial services readiness, but operational inefficiencies in public services, trade, and market competition could constrain its growth and ability to attract investment, according to the World Bank’s Business Ready (B-READY) 2025 report.
The findings were presented at a dissemination event in Accra, where policymakers, private sector representatives, and development partners reviewed Ghana’s performance under the B-READY framework. The assessment evaluates economies across three pillars: Regulatory Framework, Public Services, and Operational Efficiency.
Ghana recorded an overall 72 percent score in financial services, placing it ahead of many sub-Saharan African peers. The country scored 69 in Regulatory Frameworks, 50 in Public Services, and 52 in Operational Efficiency, highlighting a widening gap between strong rules and the speed and effectiveness of implementation.
Financial services and labour emerged as Ghana’s strongest-performing areas. The report commended the country’s regulatory environment for secured transactions and electronic payments, while Ghana ranked within the top 20 percent of economies globally in labour, with a score of 71. Solid performance was also noted in business entry and utility services, particularly in transparency around tariffs and access procedures.
Regionally, Ghana’s regulatory framework ranked the strongest among its peers, while its public services score trailed only Togo’s. However, the World Bank stressed that regulatory strength alone is insufficient without efficient service delivery.
Robert Taliercio, World Bank Division Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, said Ghana had performed well “in World Cup terms” but still faced a significant delivery gap. He noted that Ghana’s gross capital formation is around 10 percent of GDP, compared with roughly 30 percent in industrialising economies such as Morocco.
“The gap between strong rules and slower delivery affects how investors assess risk, cost, and predictability,” Mr. Taliercio said, linking the findings to the government’s proposed 24-Hour Economy programme. He emphasised that the initiative is less about extended working hours and more about system readiness, including efficient ports, utilities, and regulators.
Kyle Kelhofer, Senior Country Manager for the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for Ghana and Liberia, described the engagement as action-oriented and urged businesses to help identify inefficiencies and propose practical solutions to reduce delays and bottlenecks. He said the World Bank Group is focused on supporting reforms that improve firm productivity and unlock private investment needed for job creation.
The report identified market competition as a major weakness, with a low score of 34 percent, alongside deficiencies in business insolvency and dispute resolution systems. International trade was cited as a key example of operational inefficiency: despite a strong regulatory framework, import clearance in Ghana takes an average of 23 days, compared with eight days in peer economies such as Cameroon.
To unlock its full growth potential, the World Bank recommended streamlining export restrictions, improving transparency in licensing systems, and clarifying penalty procedures.
Despite these challenges, the report expressed optimism about Ghana’s reform trajectory, highlighting the recent introduction of a Trusted Trader programme, which is expected to significantly improve border efficiency and strengthen Ghana’s performance in future B-READY assessments.
