President John Mahama has called on Ghana and Zambia to move beyond long-standing political friendship and translate it into stronger trade and investment partnerships.

Speaking at the ongoing Ghana–Zambia Business Dialogue in Lusaka, President Mahama said the two countries share a deep historical bond rooted in their liberation struggles and commitment to democracy, peace, and political stability.

He noted that Ghana and Zambia have “walked parallel paths” in their pursuit of freedom and development, standing together as champions of pan-Africanism and African self-determination.

“Yet, despite this strong historical bond and shared vision, trade and investment between our two countries remain far below their true potential,” he said, adding that the gap presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

Against the backdrop of growing global trade fragmentation and protectionism, President Mahama urged African countries to look inward and strengthen economic cooperation.

"At a time when global trade is increasingly fragmented and protectionist tendencies are on the rise, Africa must turn inward with purpose."

He described the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a historic opportunity to deepen intra-African trade, build regional value chains, and strengthen economic resilience.

"The African Continental Free Trade Area offers us a historic opportunity to deepen intra-African trade, build regional value chains and strengthening our collective economic resilience."

“This business dialogue is not a ceremonial event. It is a strategic platform to convert political goodwill into concrete commercial partnerships,” he added, emphasising the goal of moving Ghana–Zambia relations “from diplomacy to deal-making and from solidarity to shared prosperity”.

President Mahama also welcomed recent agreements signed during his state visit, including a visa waiver allowing Zambians and Ghanaians to travel visa-free, as well as a bilateral air services agreement to allow direct flights between the two countries.

"I'm encouraged by the agreements we have signed during this state visit, which include the visa waiver allowing Zambians and Ghanaians to travel visa-free to our counterpart countries, and the bilateral air services agreements, which would allow direct flights between Zambia and Ghana," he said.

According to him, these measures will improve connectivity, reduce transaction costs, and facilitate the movement of goods, capital, and people between Ghana and Zambia.

"All this will improve connectivity between our people, reduce transaction costs, and facilitate the movement of goods and capital between our countries."

He urged both countries’ trade ministries to act quickly.

"I urge our ministries of trade to move swiftly to operationalise the trade and industry cooperation framework and to support the newly established Ghana-Zambia Business Council," the President added.