The Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association of Ghana (VEPEAG) has called on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat to intensify efforts at removing structural and logistical barriers that continue to undermine the potential of intra-African trade.
In a bold appeal to regional stakeholders, the Association’s President, Dr. Felix Mawuli Kamassah, stressed the urgency of addressing long-standing impediments that discourage agricultural exporters from tapping into regional markets. His comments follow a recent 10% tariff hike by the U.S. government on imported goods, a move that underscores the need for African countries to strengthen economic ties within the continent.
“In light of rising external trade pressures, Africa must prioritize internal trade. But how can we do that when infrastructural bottlenecks and cumbersome border procedures remain unresolved?” Dr. Kamassah questioned.
He pointed to the plight of regional traders such as onion exporters from Niger who face a labyrinth of checkpoints, delays, and informal levies while transporting goods across borders. “These experiences are not isolated. They represent a broader systemic failure that discourages small and medium enterprises from expanding regionally,” he added.
While exporters are not demanding subsidies or financial support, VEPEAG insists that a streamlined regulatory environment, coupled with reliable infrastructure, is critical for the AfCFTA to succeed. Dr. Kamassah emphasized that without decisive action, the dream of a unified African trade bloc could remain aspirational.
“We’re not asking for handouts. We’re asking for access to efficient logistics, fair customs procedures, and a harmonized regulatory framework,” he said. “These are foundational to unlocking the full potential of Africa’s agricultural trade.”
VEPEAG’s call comes as AfCFTA continues to position itself as the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries, aiming to connect 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of over $3.4 trillion. However, analysts warn that without tangible improvements in infrastructure and trade facilitation, the promise of a borderless African market could falter.
Dr. Kamassah concluded with a rallying message to policymakers: “Africa has the markets, the people, and the produce. What we need now is the will to remove the roadblocks both literal and figurative that are holding us back.”
