Ghana is transitioning into a net recipient of goods and services exported through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), nearly two years post the piloting of the guided trade initiative (GTI).

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An analysis conducted by the AfCFTA Coordination Office Ghana reveals that seven out of the eight countries participating in the GTI, including Cameroon, Kenya, Egypt, Mauritius, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Tunisia, have identified Ghana as their preferred market.

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This preference stems from Ghana's role as the host of the AfCFTA Secretariat, positioning it as well-prepared with the requisite customs regime to accommodate goods and services from other nations.However, this development currently poses a disadvantage to Ghana, as local businesses have struggled to leverage the AfCFTA to export to other African markets, lagging behind their counterparts.

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To address this imbalance, various institutions and stakeholders are initiating initiatives aimed at encouraging exports to other African nations.One such initiative is the German Development Agency’s (GIZ) national stakeholder forum on AfCFTA, digital trade, and E-commerce held in Accra.

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This forum seeks to evaluate the digital readiness of Ghanaian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their presence in E-commerce, aligning with the digital trade and E-commerce protocols of the AfCFTA.Key figures at the forum included the National Coordinator of the AfCFTA Coordination Office, Dr.

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Fareed Kwesi Arthur; President of Ghana Fintech and Payments Association, Kwame Martin Awegah; Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Tsonam Cleanse Akpeloo; CEO of Ghana Chamber of Agribusiness, Anthony Morrison, and CEO of Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey.Dr.

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Arthur stressed the need for Ghanaian firms to be proactive in leveraging AfCFTA to expand their reach across the continent, emphasizing that without such initiative, Ghana risks becoming a net importer rather than exporter under the agreement.Mr. Awegah highlighted the challenges posed by Africa's lack of physical connectivity and underdeveloped financial systems, which hinder efficient trade within the continent.Mr.

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Akpeloo emphasized the importance of digitalization in driving the success of the continental free trade area, noting that digital trade facilitates transactions in goods and services, whether digitally or physically delivered.

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