Ghanaian businesses and investors have been encouraged to take advantage of the vast commercial opportunities available in Canada when they travel for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The call was made by the Counsellor (Commercial) and Senior Trade Commissioner of Canada to Ghana, Waqas I. Yousafzai, who said the global football showpiece should be seen not only as a tourism event but also as a strategic platform for trade, investment and long-term economic partnerships between Ghana and Canada.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Graphic in an interview last Wednesday, Mr Yousafzai explained that the 2026 World Cup presented a unique opportunity to deepen commercial ties by exposing Ghanaian businesses to investment prospects in Canada, while also helping Canadians better understand Ghana’s economic potential.

“My goal as a Senior Trade Commissioner here in Ghana is to ensure that it doesn’t just stop at tourism,but provides a launch pad that helps Ghanaians see what the opportunities are in Canada, and for Canadians to understand opportunities in Ghana,” he stated.

He noted that if both countries strategically use the upcoming World Cup to showcase their strengths, it can open doors to increased bilateral investment and stronger bonds. He stressed the need to shift focus from traditional commodity-based trade to value-added industries.

“It’s about creating the necessary value chains. Ghana already has a strong reputation in the extractive sector, particularly mining, but we can go beyond that.

We should be looking at the entire mining value chain, including clean technologies, ICT, skills development, and other pieces that further support the sector. I want to use the World Cup as a beginning, not an end in itself,” he said.

Sectors

Mr Yousafzai identified real estate as one of the key sectors where Ghanaian investors were already active in Canada and encouraged interested businesses to explore partnerships with Canadian firms. He also pointed to significant opportunities in value addition within agriculture and extractive industries.

He further highlighted a recent Air Transport Agreement (ATA) signed between Ghana and Canada, which allowed for direct flights between the two countries and was expected to boost trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.

“In March 2025, Canada and Ghana signed an Air Transport Agreement after extensive work by both countries.

The agreement allows up to 14 passenger flights and 10 all-cargo flights between the two countries,” he explained.

According to him, a Canadian airline, Air Transat, was set to begin direct flights between Toronto and Accra in June, operating twice weekly.

Mr Yousafzai also underscored the importance of the Ghanaian diaspora in Canada, estimated at over 100,000 people, describing it as a strong foundation for deeper commercial collaboration.

“There is already a strong people-to-people connection.

My aim is to convert that beyond family and social ties into meaningful commercial opportunities by showcasing what both countries have to offer,” he added.

He expressed optimism that with the World Cup as a catalyst, Ghana and Canada could unlock mutually beneficial partnerships across multiple sectors for generations to come.