Ghanaian businesses have been urged to position themselves to take advantage of the vast opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which provides access to a market of more than 1.4 billion people across the continent.
Benjamin Asiam, the Acting Head of the National Coordination Office at the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, said the agreement presents a unique opportunity for businesses to expand beyond national borders and access one of the world’s largest free trade markets.
Speaking during a discussion on the theme, “Unlocking Africa’s Single Market: How Can Ghanaian Businesses Win Under AfCFTA?” on Channel One TV on Thursday, June 11, 2026, as part of the Citi Business Festival, he said African countries stand to benefit significantly by increasing trade among themselves.
“We have a population of over 1.4 billion people and also a GDP of more than $3 trillion. And so if we trade with each other, we see Africa as one market, we trade with each other, we’ll benefit, the wealth of Africa will stay in Africa, and Africa will be better for it,” Mr Asiam said.
He noted that AfCFTA, which brings together 54 African countries, allows member states to grant preferential trading terms to one another, creating a more competitive environment for intra-African trade.
According to him, the agreement is particularly important given Africa’s long-standing reliance on exporting raw materials to markets outside the continent.
“Africa has been exporting raw materials to the rest of the world for a long period of time, and we are not benefiting. So this opportunity is a very critical one,” he said.
Mr Asiam said Ghana has demonstrated a strong commitment to the success of AfCFTA, having played a key role in the negotiations that led to the establishment of the agreement and the hosting of its Secretariat in Accra.
He stressed that the continent’s large population and growing economic output present significant opportunities for Ghanaian businesses seeking new markets for their products and services.
The Citi Business Festival 2026 is powered by 97.3 Citi FM and Channel One TV in partnership with ABSA Bank. And it’s proudly sponsored by, MTN, Zonda Tec Ghana Ltd. and Petra Trust.
