Vice President of Ghana, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has called for stronger commitment to implementation and institutional discipline to unlock the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

She said this at the Africa Trade Awards 2026 held in Accra on January 29, as part of the closing ceremony of the Africa Trade Summit.

“While the AfCFTA represents the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries, its promise will only be realised through consistent implementation, infrastructure alignment, institutional discipline, and political will,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said.

The Vice President congratulated award recipients for their leadership and resilience, describing them as key drivers of Africa’s industrial and trade transformation. She stressed that Africa’s economic sovereignty depends on its ability to process its own resources, strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises, and create sustainable jobs.

According to her, inclusive growth anchored in youth and women empowerment remains critical to Ghana’s and Africa’s long-term development agenda, especially as the country positions itself as the host of the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra.

The Awards Gala brought together Heads of State, senior government officials, captains of industry, development finance institutions, and regional bodies to recognise institutions and individuals making measurable contributions to Africa’s trade and industrial value chains.

Also speaking at the event, President of São Tomé and Príncipe, H.E. Carlos Vila Nova, urged African leaders to bridge the gap between policy ambition and practical results.

“Africa’s industrial future will not be determined by vision alone, but by how our infrastructure, energy systems, borders, and financing are governed as integrated systems,” he noted.

He warned that delays in implementation continue to undermine investor confidence and job creation, describing time as “Africa’s most expensive deficit.”

From the private sector perspective, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the African Trade Chamber, Sir Sam Jonah, said Africa’s industrialisation agenda now requires coordination and focused execution rather than broad declarations.

“Infrastructure must serve production and trade, not prestige, and borders must become bridges for commerce rather than barriers of bureaucracy,” he said.

Sir Sam Jonah added that prioritising strategic corridors, sectors, and value chains would help align government policies with private sector financing and long-term investment.

The 2026 Africa Trade Awards recognised excellence across five categories, including continental leadership, industry performance, enterprise growth, trade systems, and distinguished service.

Among the top honourees, former President of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah, was named Africa Trade Leader of the Year, while Afreximbank received the Africa Trade Finance Architect of the Year award.

Other award winners included the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam for Industrial Energy Project of the Year, Elsewedy Electric for Advanced Manufacturing Excellence, Aspen Pharmacare for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, and Patricia Poku-Diaby for Women in Trade and Industry Leadership.

Organisers said the Awards are expected to become an annual continental benchmark for recognising leadership that strengthens Africa’s industrial base, deepens regional value chains, and promotes intra-African trade under the AfCFTA framework.

They stressed that Africa’s trade and industrial transformation will depend on discipline, coordination, and sustained execution, rather than policy declarations alone.