The 2025 Africa We Want Summit convened entrepreneurs, policymakers and young innovators in Accra to discuss how technology, trade and entrepreneurship can accelerate the continent’s economic transformation. Held at Mountville International University College, the summit focused on digitalisation, regional integration and the creation of competitive African enterprises under the theme “Unlocking Africa’s Market: Technology, Trade & Entrepreneurship.”
Representing the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Kwame Oppong Ntim, Director of Agribusiness, urged Africa’s entrepreneurial community to take advantage of the continent’s shifting economic landscape. He noted that Africa’s population of 1.4 billion, one of the youngest in the world, combined with a rapidly expanding digital ecosystem, places the continent “at a historic turning point.”
Oppong Ntim made note of the African Continental Free Trade Area’s role (AfCFTA) in reshaping Africa’s economic prospects. He said the agreement is transforming the continent from fragmented national markets into a unified trading bloc. “A business that starts in Accra should be able to scale to Kigali, Cape Town, Tunis and beyond,” he remarked, encouraging entrepreneurs to adopt a borderless business mindset.
He outlined initiatives underway at the ministry to support enterprise development. Ghana’s forthcoming Agribusiness Policy, he said, will enforce higher standards, particularly in packaging and product quality, to help local producers better compete in regional and global markets. He also pointed to a progressive licensing scheme being implemented by the Ghana Enterprise Agency to support MSMEs, including sponsored technical assistance to help selected firms become export-ready.
Oppong Ntim added that the Business Regulatory Reform Commission is working to streamline standards and improve the overall business environment to attract investment. “Entrepreneurship requires capacity building, honesty and hard work,” he said, urging young innovators to adopt discipline and professionalism as they grow their ventures.
A key highlight of the summit was the graduation ceremony for the 19th Cohort of the AEA Launchpad Entrepreneurship Programme. This year, 32 participants completed training in enterprise growth, competitiveness and internationalisation. The cohort also studied Business Chinese and Business French to enhance their ability to operate in global markets.
President of the African Entrepreneurship Academy, Wilson Kafui Senya, called for stronger stakeholder support for entrepreneurship development, emphasising the need to expand training opportunities. “We have a lot to do,” he said. “We are committed to creating an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs.” He encouraged participants to “seize the moment to co-create and build the Africa we want and make Ghana great and strong.”
