Richard E. Addison has been appointed Ghana Country Lead for the Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs – Africa (CAYE Africa), a continental platform that promotes youth entrepreneurship, trade cooperation, and policy engagement among Commonwealth member states.

The appointment is expected to reinforce Ghana’s presence within the alliance, which brings together youth enterprise organisations and young business leaders across Africa to support market access, business growth, and coordinated policy dialogue.

Mr Addison is a Ghanaian entrepreneur and youth development advocate with an extensive background in business leadership. He previously served as President of the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs, where he focused on expanding regional opportunities for young businesses and addressing youth unemployment through enterprise-led solutions.

Speaking following his appointment, Mr Addison said, “Young entrepreneurs across Africa are increasingly focused on access rather than aid. Open markets, fair financing structures, and strategic partnerships are more critical to sustainable growth than short-term interventions.”

He identified limited market connectivity as one of the key challenges facing African entrepreneurs, rather than a shortage of talent or ideas.

According to him, his role will be to prioritise strengthening trade links among Commonwealth countries and encouraging collaboration in enterprise development, innovation, and investment.

Mr Addison also pointed to Ghana’s strategic position within the Commonwealth, citing its political stability, regional credibility, and long-standing tradition of diplomacy and trade.

He said his objective is to help position Ghana as a hub where young entrepreneurs can connect, collaborate, and build businesses that compete in regional and global markets.

The Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs Africa operates within a broader Commonwealth framework aimed at expanding economic opportunities for young people through trade, enterprise development, and cross-border cooperation.

Ghana has played an active role in the alliance in recent years. In 2023, the chairperson of CAYE Africa, Sherif Ghali, was nominated to lead the continental network, further strengthening its youth-led approach to enterprise development.

As Ghana Country Lead, Mr Addison will be responsible for coordinating national activities, linking local entrepreneurs to regional networks, and building partnerships with government institutions, development agencies, and private sector stakeholders.

His appointment comes at a time when Ghana is implementing new policy measures under recent national budgets to support small businesses and youth-led enterprises.

Officials of CAYE Africa say the move is expected to deepen Ghana’s engagement with the wider Commonwealth business network and promote cross-border trade, enterprise growth, and greater youth participation in global markets.