Ghana is intensifying its commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as it aims to shift away from raw commodity exports and drive regional trade in value-added goods across the continent.
At the 2025 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) Business Roadshow in Accra, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, reaffirmed Ghana’s goal to create a business-friendly environment through enhanced trade infrastructure, financing access, and market readiness for small enterprises. “Over 2,000 MSMEs are receiving direct support under our Market Expansion Programme,” she noted in a speech delivered on her behalf by Benjamin Kwaku Asiam, Acting National Coordinator of Ghana’s National AfCFTA Coordination Office.
The government has already led targeted trade missions to Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, enabling Ghanaian businesses to explore continental markets and sign supply agreements. The move aligns with Ghana’s strategy to foster deeper economic integration through AfCFTA and improve competitiveness beyond traditional exports like cocoa, oil, and gold.
The Business Roadshow forms part of a continental promotional campaign ahead of IATF2025, scheduled for September 4–10 in Algiers, Algeria. Organized by Afreximbank in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat, IATF serves as Africa’s flagship trade and investment platform.
Speaking at the event, AfCFTA Secretary General Wamkele Mene called the Fair “a catalyst for turning the promise of AfCFTA into real trade deals, investment flows, and job creation.” He added that AfCFTA’s goal is to build integrated markets that stimulate industrialisation and regional value chains while reducing poverty.
Dr. Yemi Kale, Afreximbank’s Group Chief Economist, stressed the importance of access to actionable market data. “Trade cannot flourish without timely intelligence,” he said, emphasizing IATF2025’s role in solving this gap.
IATF2025 is expected to attract over 2,000 exhibitors, more than 35,000 visitors from 140+ countries, and generate trade and investment deals exceeding $44 billion. The last edition, held in Cairo, facilitated $43.7 billion in transactions.
Algeria’s Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Mourad Louhaidia, announced streamlined visa services for Ghanaian participants and assured full logistical support for IATF2025. “A dedicated team will handle all visa requests from Ghana,” he stated.
The upcoming fair will include trade exhibitions, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), an Africa Automotive Show, and the AfSNET forum for local governments. Additional features include a virtual platform, diaspora engagement, youth entrepreneurship showcases, and B2B matchmaking.
Reflecting on Africa’s trade heritage, IATF Ambassador Gabriel Edgal described AfCFTA as a turning point. “It is time to be deliberate about trading among ourselves,” he said. “This is how we build interconnected prosperity — for ourselves, by ourselves.”
Ghana continues to lead on AfCFTA implementation with initiatives like the Guided Trade Initiative, enabling local companies to begin cross-border trade under the agreement. Officials say the country remains a model for AfCFTA’s private-sector-led growth across Africa.
