Ghana: IFC Advances Rail and Port Projects to Strengthen the Tema Corridor to Burkina Faso

Regional Corridors — Ghana: IFC is discussing several infrastructure projects with the Ghanaian government around Tema, including a 7-km railway link, port expansion and additional solar power capacity. The projects target logistics constraints affecting freight flows to inland and neighboring markets.

7-km Railway Project Planned Around Tema

The Tema corridor in Ghana could gain an additional rail link as part of efforts to improve freight movement. IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop said on September 23, 2026, that the institution was working with the Ghanaian government on a 7-km railway project around Tema.

The railway is expected to complement a wider logistics system combining rail, inland waterways, dry ports and road transport. The objective is to improve connections between Tema, northern Ghana and markets in Burkina Faso.

For logistics operators, better integration between these modes could reduce cargo handling points and improve the continuity of freight movements. It could also provide additional options for moving goods from the port toward inland markets.

Tema Port Expansion Includes Berth 5

The expansion of Tema Port is another project under discussion between IFC and Ghanaian authorities. Talks reportedly include Berth 5, with further berthing capacity also being considered.

Tema is a key maritime gateway for Ghana and an important entry point for cargo moving toward inland markets, including landlocked countries in the region.

Additional port capacity could help accommodate higher cargo volumes and ease capacity constraints. The operational impact will depend on the implementation of the expansion and the quality of connections between the port, rail, road and inland waterway networks.

Solar Power Project Targets Tema Industrial Zone

IFC is also discussing a major solar power project aimed at strengthening electricity supply to the Tema processing zone.

According to Makhtar Diop, existing rooftop solar investments have increased generation capacity but remain insufficient to meet the zone’s current electricity requirements.

Reliable power is a key operational factor for industrial, manufacturing and logistics activities around Tema Port. Additional solar capacity could therefore support production continuity, although technical details and the final scale of the project have not yet been disclosed.

Why It Matters

• Logistics capacity: A new rail connection around Tema could improve the movement of cargo from the port toward inland markets.
• Regional transit: Combining rail, road and inland waterways could strengthen freight connections with Burkina Faso.
• Competitiveness: Increased port and energy capacity could support industrial and logistics activity in the Tema area.

A Regional Dimension for the Tema Corridor

The projects are linked to broader intra-African trade and AfCFTA objectives. Transport costs and inefficient freight connections remain important factors affecting the competitiveness of corridors linking coastal ports with landlocked markets.

For Ghana, the operational challenge is therefore not limited to expanding port infrastructure. The effectiveness of the Tema corridor will also depend on connections between the port, northern Ghana and neighboring countries.

The development of rail, dry ports, inland waterways and road links could provide a more integrated freight network between Tema and the Sahelian hinterland.

 IFC’s discussions with Ghana bring rail, port and energy infrastructure together around the Tema logistics hub. If implemented, the projects could strengthen freight capacity and improve connections between Ghana’s main maritime gateway and the Ghana-Burkina Faso corridor