President John Mahama has urged African nations to reposition themselves to take full advantage of the shifting dynamics in global geopolitics and trade.

Speaking at the 2025 edition of the Kwahu Business Forum on Friday, April 19, the President stressed the need for Africa to evolve from a predominantly trading mindset to a more industrial and entrepreneurial approach.

He said the continent has consistently missed out on the economic benefits of major global transitions, from the Cold War to the age of globalization, but now has a fresh opportunity to benefit from the ongoing geopolitical reconfigurations, including rising trade wars among major economic powers.

“The world is changing and new opportunities are being thrown up, and we as a country must take advantage of those opportunities,” Mr Mahama said.

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He pointed to the current trade tensions between economic superpowers as creating “global shifts in terms of production,” which Africa must leverage to move away from its traditionally passive economic role.

“Africa must shake itself out of the mindset that we are only traders,” the President said, calling for a bold pivot toward manufacturing, industrialization, digital entrepreneurship, and agribusiness.

“We can be anything that we want.”

According to the President, as the world becomes more unpredictable due to political and economic tensions, the environment becomes ripe for long-marginalized regions like Africa to assert themselves.

The Kwahu Business Forum forms part of a series of engagements bringing together policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors to discuss innovative strategies for economic development and private sector empowerment in Ghana and across the continent.