Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has renewed calls for African leaders to dismantle trade barriers that continue to slow the continent’s integration and economic progress. Speaking at a regional economic forum, the President stressed that Africa cannot fully realise the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) unless member states commit to eliminating tariffs, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and non-tariff restrictions that frustrate businesses.
“The vision of AfCFTA is not just about signing documents,” Akufo-Addo said. “It is about removing the walls that keep Africans from trading freely with Africans. If we want to industrialise, create jobs, and compete globally, we must act with urgency.”
Trade experts estimate that intra-African trade currently stands at less than 18 percent of the continent’s total trade volume, compared to 65 percent in Europe and 50 percent in Asia. Analysts argue that dismantling trade barriers could unlock billions of dollars in value, especially in manufacturing, agriculture, and digital services.
Akufo-Addo’s remarks come at a time when the AfCFTA Secretariat, headquartered in Accra, is pressing countries to accelerate implementation. However, protectionist tendencies, political rivalries, and underdeveloped infrastructure remain key obstacles.
Still, his message resonated with young entrepreneurs and regional business leaders eager for a borderless Africa. “The walls we keep up only make us weaker,” Akufo-Addo concluded. “It is time to trade as one people.