The Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) has intensified efforts to align its Special Economic Zones (SEZs) with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, holding a two-day technical training to strengthen implementation capacity and boost competitiveness.
The programme, organised by GFZA’s AfCFTA and Strategic Partnerships Unit in collaboration with the Africa Trade Academy, focused on integrating AfCFTA rules into the operations of Special Economic Zones.
In opening remarks, Edward Adu-Ntiamoah, Director of Business Development & Research, AfCFTA & Strategic Partnerships, and Agribusiness at GFZA, urged participants to adopt a forward-looking approach.
According to him, the knowledge acquired would shape the next phase of the authority’s engagement under the continental trade pact, noting that strengthening internal expertise is critical to positioning Ghana’s Free Zones to capture emerging trade and investment opportunities across Africa.
The sessions were led by Dode Seidu, Dean of the Africa Trade Academy, who guided participants through key components of the AfCFTA framework, including the Protocol on Trade in Goods, Rules of Origin and their implications for Special Economic Zones. Discussions also covered certification procedures, compliance requirements and the use of AfCFTA operational tools.
Through case studies and practical exercises, officials examined how Free Zone Enterprises can align production and export processes with AfCFTA standards to secure preferential market access while meeting regulatory requirements.
The training forms part of GFZA’s broader mandate as the focal institution on AfCFTA matters within the authority. By strengthening its technical and advisory capacity, the agency aims to better support Free Zone Enterprises in accessing tariff preferences and to ensure its policies are consistent with Ghana’s national AfCFTA implementation strategy.
The initiative is expected to to leverage Free Zones to attract manufacturing and logistics investment, deepen regional value chains and expand intra-African exports under the wide trade agreement.
