By Francis Ntow, GNA
Accra, Feb 19, GNA – Stakeholders from Ghana and international development agencies have called for deeper collaboration between governments, businesses, and partners to strengthen export competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in intra-continental trade.
The call came at the end of a three-day workshop on “Unlocking AfCFTA Trade & Investment Opportunities,” in Accra, on Thursday, aimed at boosting trade diversification agenda and empowering SMEs to reap the benefits of the intra-continental trade.
Speakers and participants noted that Africa’s path to economic transformation depended on effective collaboration between government and private sector partners, as well as transparent procurement, stronger SME support, and infrastructure development.
The workshop was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ghana, with support from the Japanese Embassy and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) National Coordination Office.
Participants were educated on key provisions, protocols and implementation progress of the continental free-trade agreement, emerging opportunities for SMEs, tariff liberalisation, rules of origin, and the AfCFTA e-tariff book.
Other topics included developing bankable investment profile and pitches, understanding investment promotion policies and incentives in Ghana and under free trade initiative, as well as what investors look out for under the intra-continental trade agreement.
The speakers and participants, including business owners, argued that with AfCFTA opening new markets, Ghana must seize the opportunity to move beyond raw exports and build competitive industries that would thrive across Africa.
Niloy Banerjee, UNDP Ghana Representative, noted that trade integration could drive prosperity and climate resilience, citing the European Union’s single currency and Schengen visa as examples of how borderless transactions created opportunities.
He noted that while Africa contributed less than 1.3 per cent to global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), compared to Asia’s 65 per cent, and about 300 million people set to join the workforce soon, that could be a turning point for continental trade transformation.
Mr Banerjee said changing the narrative required stronger regulatory collaborations among governments, and deepening of business-to-government dialogue to overcome barriers holding Africa back.
Ms Aizu Naho, a representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), highlighted the importance of supporting Ghana’s SMEs to leverage opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
She cited India’s vast market of 1.4 billion people and US$3.4 trillion GDP as a reference point for Ghana and its sister African countries to strengthen industrial competitiveness and value chain development through enhanced collaboration.
She said JICA was supporting Ghana with ongoing projects with the Ministry of Trade, including infrastructure and modern customs operations, aimed at boosting processed exports rather than raw products, to enhance trade facilitation.
Mr Edward Adu Ntiamoah, Director, Business Development, Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), touched on the Authority’s support to agribusiness and export-oriented activities, providing serviced plots with access to roads, electricity, and water with an “after desk” to help enterprises manage trade operations more effectively.
He outlined incentives available to investors, including a 10-year tax exemption on manufacturing machinery and a one-stop shop service for businesses, pledging the Authority’s commitment to making SMEs enjoy the benefits under AfCFTA.
Madam Ayisha Fuseini, Founder, Asheba Company Limited, producers of shea butter and shea-based products in the Northern Region, said the workshop had enriched their knowledge on various export documentation processes.
“Many SMEs face significant challenges in export documentation and lack of information, hindering our ability to participate in international business, but we have been helped to identify and correct the mistakes in export processes,” she said.
“Certification and standardisation are vital for international trade, and the government agencies have given knowledge on exportation,” Mad Fuseini said, noting that they also had networking opportunities during the workshop.
She advocated trade among African countries, citing better pricing opportunities compared to exporting outside the continent, thereby, strengthening economic ties and building the continent.
“For instance, East Africa values shea butter highly, and intra-African trade can lead to mutually beneficial partnerships, ultimately building a stronger African economy,” she added.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe