Ghana’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has called for more decisive and flexible approaches to advancing continental trade integration, urging African countries to move beyond prolonged consensus-building and focus on practical, country-led implementation strategies.
Speaking at the African Trade Conference 2026 in Cape Town, the Minister stressed the need for “pragmatic, country-led solutions” to address persistent bottlenecks in intra-African trade, particularly under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Addressing a High-Level Ministerial Panel on accelerating continental trade, Ofosu-Adjare argued that progress should not be delayed by the need for full alignment among all African Union member states, noting that “flexible implementation” could allow willing countries to advance reforms while others gradually align. She emphasised that “a few can take the lead,” positioning early adopters as catalysts for broader continental uptake.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Minister held bilateral discussions with her Zambian counterpart, focusing on “reducing non-tariff barriers” and advancing “regulatory alignment” to ease cross-border trade flows. The talks also explored opportunities to harmonise standards and streamline border processes, areas widely seen as critical to unlocking trade under the AfCFTA.
Officials at the meeting acknowledged that intra-African trade remains structurally low, accounting for about 15 per cent of total exports, compared to significantly higher levels in other regions. In response, discussions centred on “reducing duplication” in trade documentation, expanding digital trade infrastructure, and strengthening implementation of existing agreements.
The engagement reinforced calls for stronger political commitment across the continent, with policymakers highlighting the need to move from negotiated frameworks to execution. The Minister’s intervention underscores efforts to operationalise AfCFTA provisions through targeted reforms and strategic partnerships aimed at deepening regional trade integration.
