Mr. Julius Debrah, Ghana’s Chief of Staff, has urged African nations to harness the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a catalyst for boosting productive capacity, enhancing competitiveness, and promoting youth-led enterprise across the continent.
Speaking at the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI) Summit, themed “Unlocking West Africa’s Economic Potential through Trade, Investment, Logistics, and Youth Development”, Mr. Debrah highlighted the persistent challenge of low intra-African trade and called for deliberate efforts to deepen regional economic integration.
The summit, organised jointly by the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) and FEWACCI, focused on improving trade facilitation, harmonising standards, expanding investment in logistics, and integrating youth and SMEs into regional value chains. It also sought to develop actionable public-private policy recommendations to accelerate economic transformation.
Mr. Debrah praised government initiatives supporting private sector growth, including the Export Expansion Programme, the 24-hour economy policy, and the Ghana Economic Transformation Project, which provide training, financial support, and market access for SMEs. He also noted programmes like Apprenticeship-to-Entrepreneur, which equip youth with skills for enterprise development.
Despite progress, the Chief of Staff acknowledged challenges such as fragmented standards, high trade costs, limited access to finance, and inadequate logistics infrastructure that continue to restrict intra-regional trade. He called for strengthened collaboration between government, private sector actors, development partners, and organisations such as the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) to overcome these barriers.
“AfCFTA is more than a trade agreement; it is an opportunity to build resilient SMEs, empower our youth, and transform Africa’s economic landscape,” he said, urging West African countries to invest in productive capacity, digital trade, and regional value chains to maximise the agreement’s potential.
The summit also featured discussions on youth empowerment through mentorship programmes and the Youth Innovation Challenge, highlighting the central role of young entrepreneurs in driving sustainable growth and regional prosperity.
