Recently, Ghana opened the doors to the Africa Trade Summit 2026 in Accra, setting the stage for a vital dialogue on transforming the continent’s economic landscape. With a clarion call for African economies to expedite industrialization, enhance value addition, and forge a more resilient trade architecture, this summit is positioned to be a pivotal nexus for Africa’s economic future.
At the inauguration of the summit, Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare emphasized the essence of collaborative effort among governments, investors, and private sector players. She articulated that this summit represents a crucial turning point, urging a transition from mere policy discussions to concrete, actionable implementations that will drive progress.
Ofosu Adjare spotlighted Ghana’s ambitious 24 Hour Economy initiative, which is pivotal to the nation’s economic trajectory. This initiative aims to boost productivity, foster job creation, and establish Ghana as a continuous production hub. It focuses on adding value across critical sectors such as cocoa, cashew, shea, palm oil, and cassava, sectors that are integral in shifting Africa away from its overreliance on unprocessed raw materials.
Highlighting Ghana’s readiness to support regional trade, the Minister pointed to significant upgrades in trade logistics. With the completion of phases 1 and 2 of the Tema Port Expansion Project, along with ongoing modernization efforts at Takoradi Port, Ghana is poised to facilitate expanded commerce across the region. Ofosu Adjare reaffirmed the country’s firm commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), emphasizing its role in providing access to a market of a staggering 1.3 billion people.
In an effort to alleviate economic pressures on households and businesses, Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo revealed the removal of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), Betting Tax, and COVID-19 Levy. This strategic move aims to stimulate economic activity while a sweeping $30.8 billion infrastructure program is underway to enhance domestic industries and agriculture-linked value chains.
Sir Sam Jonah, Chairman of the Africa Trade Chamber Advisory Board, cautioned against the continent’s persistent dependence on raw commodity exports, advocating for reforms that shift focus towards manufacturing. His insights underline the urgency for strengthening institutions and enhancing regional competitiveness in pursuit of sustainable development outcomes.
Benedicta Lasi, the founder of the African Trade Chamber, provided an overview of the Africa Trade Summit and Awards for 2026, reassuring participants that the upcoming three-day event will serve as a dynamic platform for deal-making, investment partnerships, and policy discussions aimed at accelerating Africa’s economic advancement.
The 24 Hour Economy initiative—a flagship policy by President Mahama—aims to reshape Ghana’s economic landscape by enabling challenges to be met through continuous business operations. During her vetting in January 2025, Ofosu Adjare reiterated that this policy positions Ghana strategically to become a hub for trade and commerce, effectively meeting the surging demand across the African market.
African regional trade integration has been gaining momentum under the AfCFTA framework. Minister Ofosu Adjare recently called for the harmonization of trade standards across ECOWAS to facilitate the free movement of goods, which is vital for enhancing intra-African trade. This approach emphasizes coordination among trade ministers and transportation sector counterparts to tackle logistical hurdles.
Plans are also underway to convene African Trade Ministers to streamline border procedures, ensuring the smooth implementation of the AfCFTA. This initiative, which will commence with West African countries, aims to promote seamless trade integration, foster improved connectivity, and hasten the economic transformation of the continent.
In October 2025, Ofosu Adjare met with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala during the 16th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XVI) in Geneva to discuss Ghana’s trade priorities, WTO reforms, and collaborative efforts in fostering inclusive and sustainable trade practices.
Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare brings a rich background as a lawyer, international relations expert, and business executive with over 20 years of experience in advocacy and legal practice. A seated Member of Parliament for Techiman North and a key appointment by President Mahama in January 2025, she has previously served as the Minister of Tourism, showcasing her dedication to fostering trade and economic growth.
The AfCFTA, operational since January 2021, represents a vast market of 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP of approximately $3.4 trillion. It aims to establish a single continental market for goods and services, enhance movement of business persons, and ease the path toward creating a Continental Customs Union.
Recognized as a leader in AfCFTA implementation, Ghana has the AfCFTA Secretariat headquarters in Accra and is actively engaging in guided trade initiatives to address trade procedural bottlenecks ahead of full-scale implementation.
The Africa Trade Summit 2026 is expected to attract government officials, business leaders, investors, and development partners, all focused on exploring avenues for boosting intra-African trade and investment. The event will emphasize practical actions aimed at enhancing manufacturing, strengthening value chains, and positioned African economies to thrive in the global market.
