Ghana To Become Russia’s Gateway To Africa – Mahama

According to a report by KessbenTV, on Thursday October 29, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama has urged Russian businesses to consider Ghana as a strategic entry point into African markets, highlighting the country’s geographical advantages, institutional framework and role as host of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The President made the appeal while addressing the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, where he called for stronger economic relations between Ghana, Russia and the wider African continent.

President Mahama said Ghana was well positioned to serve as a destination for Russian investors seeking to establish business partnerships, expand their operations and take advantage of emerging commercial opportunities across Africa.

He explained that Ghana’s location along the Gulf of Guinea, coupled with its position within the continental free trade framework, offered considerable potential for companies interested in accessing markets beyond the country’s borders.

“Our institutions and our strategic location on the Gulf of Guinea provides a foundation for investment, and as host of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area, Ghana is also well placed to support businesses seeking opportunities across the continent,” he said.

The President’s message comes as Ghana seeks to attract more foreign investment, strengthen local industries and expand its participation in international trade.

His remarks also reflect the government’s interest in transforming diplomatic relations into practical economic partnerships that can generate employment, improve productivity and support national development.

Addressing the summit, President Mahama stressed that trade between Africa and Russia had significant room for expansion, both in the quantity of goods exchanged and in the diversity of products traded between the two sides.

“Your Excellencies, trade between Africa and Russia has considerable room to grow, both in volume and in the range of goods exchanged,” he said.

He maintained that stronger diplomatic ties alone would not be enough to deliver the desired economic outcomes unless both parties addressed the challenges that prevent businesses from establishing sustainable commercial relationships.

“Our task is to remove the practical barriers that prevent businesses from translating goodwill into lasting commercial relationships,” he added.

President Mahama identified cocoa, cashew, horticulture, mineral processing and manufacturing as key sectors in which Ghana could attract investment and expand commercial cooperation with Russian companies.

He encouraged Russian investors to explore opportunities in agro-processing, fertiliser production, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals, energy, transport infrastructure and the digital economy.

“In accordance with the agreements, rules, and implementation arrangements, we invite Russian businesses to work with Ghanaian counterparts in agro-processing, fertilizer production, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals, energy, transport infrastructure, and the digital economy,” President Mahama stated.

The President’s proposal places particular emphasis on partnerships that would strengthen Ghana’s domestic production capacity rather than limit economic cooperation to the importation and exportation of finished goods.

He indicated that investments should contribute to the development of local expertise and provide opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in economic activities alongside larger companies.

Such collaboration, he suggested, could help Ghanaian businesses improve their competitiveness, access new technologies and build stronger connections with international markets.

President Mahama also called for measures to improve access for African products to the Russian market, emphasising the importance of efficient logistics, reliable market information and predictable standards.

He argued that addressing these issues would help businesses on both sides overcome barriers to trade and ensure that the benefits of economic cooperation were more balanced.

According to the President, closer engagement between the private sectors of Ghana, Russia and other African countries would be crucial to turning existing diplomatic goodwill into tangible commercial gains.

He further highlighted the need for effective financial arrangements to facilitate legitimate trade transactions between businesses in the two regions.

President Mahama proposed exploring appropriate settlement mechanisms, including the use of local currencies and digital payment systems, to make cross-border transactions more efficient and accessible.

He noted that financial institutions would be important in supporting such arrangements and improving the environment for trade and investment.

“Our central banks, commercial banks, and fintech companies have an important role to play in this regard,” he said.

The President reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to building international partnerships that align with the country’s economic development priorities.

He called for cooperation that would produce measurable benefits for businesses, workers and communities in Ghana, Russia and across Africa.

His appeal at the summit forms part of broader efforts to deepen Ghana-Russia relations and encourage investors to explore opportunities in sectors capable of supporting industrial growth and economic diversification.

By presenting Ghana as a gateway to the continent, President Mahama is seeking to leverage the country’s strategic location and its role in the AfCFTA framework to attract investment that could extend beyond the domestic market.

The success of the initiative, however, will depend on the ability of both countries to translate their commitments into practical business arrangements, remove barriers to trade and ensure that partnerships deliver lasting economic benefits.

For Ghana, the immediate objective is to attract investment that strengthens local businesses, creates employment and expands the country’s productive capacity.

For Russian companies, the opportunity lies in developing partnerships with Ghanaian firms while exploring access to a broader range of African markets.

President Mahama’s message was clear: Ghana is ready to work with Russian businesses to build stronger commercial relationships and turn the longstanding ties between the two sides into opportunities for economic growth.

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