The African Continental Free Trade Area is the most ambitious integration project ever in the history of the African continent, President John Mahama has said.

Speaking at the Africa Trade Summit 2026 in Accra, President Mahama said industrial integration required market integration.

The Africa Trade Summit 2026 is the continent’s premier platform for advancing industrialisation, trade, and investment.

Organised by the African Trade Chamber in partnership with the Government of Ghana, the Summit brings together decision-makers shaping Africa’s economic transformation under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

The President said by creating a single market of over 1.3 billion people, the African Continental Free Trade Area provides the scale African industry has long lacked to expand.

He reiterated that it transformed Africa into a viable manufacturing and investment destination.

“And Ghana is proud to host the Secretariat of this continental body and to be among the early adopters of trading under its preferences,” the President said.

“But the African Continental Free Trade Area will not automatically industrialise Africa. It must be deliberately linked to industrial policy, infrastructure investment, and enterprise development.”

President Mahama said reducing non-tariff barriers, simplifying customs procedures, improving logistics, and investing in digital trade infrastructure were essential if the African Continental Free Trade Area was to deliver on its promise.

He said Ghana’s experience reinforced key lessons, adding that industrialisation worked when policies were deliberate, infrastructure was reliable, skills were developed, and macroeconomic stability was maintained.

The President said investments in transport, energy, and technical education were foundational.

He noted that good governance was equally important.

President Mahama said investor confidence thrived when institutions were strong and policies were predictable.

“Africa’s industrial transformation cannot be achieved solely by governments. Governments must provide leadership and stability. The private sector must invest and innovate,” he stated.

“Financial institutions must design long-term financing solutions. Development partners must align with Africa’s priorities. And African institutions must coordinate and remove the barriers to integration.”

President Mahama urged his fellow African leaders to envision an Africa with thriving industrial corridors, integrated supply chains, and competitive factories that produce for both African and global markets.

“An Africa where prosperity is shared, and opportunity is created at home. This vision is bold but achievable. What is required now is urgency and resolve,” he said.

“We must move from declarations to delivery, from agreements to implementation, and from vision to construction.”