President John Dramani Mahama has called on African nations to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost intra-African trade, industrialisation, and value addition.

Addressing Zambia’s National Assembly, he said AfCFTA offers unprecedented opportunities for shared prosperity.

He urged African governments to reduce trade barriers, harmonise standards, and promote private-sector partnerships.

President Mahama emphasised that a connected continent allows young people, businesses, and entrepreneurs to thrive locally.

“The future is African,” he said. “The AfCFTA offers an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate industrialization, promote value addition, and boost intra-African trade.”

He highlighted the role of the African diaspora and the bilateral movement of people, noting that Ghanaians in Zambia and Zambians in Ghana enrich both societies.

According to him, Africa’s demographic dividend demands investment in skills and innovation.

President Mahama said that AfCFTA, if effectively implemented, can turn Africa’s resource wealth into industrial prosperity rather than continued dependence on raw exports and external financing.