Ghana’s Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called on African leaders to move beyond mere talk and take bold steps to ensure that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) benefits ordinary Africans. Speaking at the Africa Prosperity Dialogue (APD) 2025 in Accra, she emphasized that the success of the single market will depend on strong political will and decisive action.
Addressing a gathering that included eight African heads of state, she made it clear that AfCFTA is not just a high-level policy but a real opportunity to transform the lives of everyday people; farmers, traders, artisans, and business owners, by breaking down trade barriers and opening up markets across the continent.
“The success of the single market depends on our collective will and decisive action. We must accelerate progress to ensure that Africa’s gains are realized for this generation and the future ones,” she stated.
For many Ghanaians, AfCFTA could mean easier access to bigger markets for local products, better job opportunities, and lower prices for goods as trade becomes smoother across borders. But Opoku-Agyemang was quick to point out that none of this will happen if African governments fail to act. She stressed that countries must work together to remove trade barriers, improve transport infrastructure, and invest in digital technology so businesses, whether big companies or small roadside vendors, can trade more easily.
She also praised Ghana’s efforts to improve trade infrastructure, particularly in air and sea transport. “Our airports are one of the best on the continent, I must admit. Our ports are being modernized to facilitate trade, and we are expanding our road and rural networks to connect key economic zones,” she noted.
For the average Ghanaian trader who exports goods to Nigeria, Ivory Coast, or South Africa, or the local manufacturer looking for new markets, these improvements could be game-changers. However, she emphasized that infrastructure alone is not enough—governments must ensure that trade policies actually work for the people and that businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), are given the right support.
She also highlighted the broader benefits of a well-functioning single market, explaining that it could lead to more industries, better-paying jobs, and a stronger African presence in the global economy.
“As we engage in today’s sessions, I encourage all of us to collaborate, exchange ideas, and push Africa closer to a fully integrated market,” she added.
The Africa Prosperity Dialogue 2025, which runs from January 30 to February 1, is bringing together African leaders, policymakers, and business executives to discuss how to turn AfCFTA from a policy into a reality that benefits ordinary people.
With the right commitment, experts believe Africa’s single market could boost trade, create jobs, and provide opportunities for Ghanaian businesses to compete on a much larger scale.
