Let’s look inward to expand trade – Mahama tells African leaders at AfDB annual meeting

President John Mahama has urged African countries to work together. He wants them to harmonize trade activities. This will help protect the continent from external tariff pressures.

He emphasized the need for better revenue collection. Improved revenue can support infrastructure development. This will make it easier to move goods and people.

Speaking at the African Development Bank (AfDB) meeting in Ivory Coast, he highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). He sees it as a catalyst for increased intra-African trade.

Mahama noted that lack of integration makes African countries vulnerable. Other nations exploit this vulnerability by imposing tariffs. He said, “There is no free dinner anywhere.”

To address these issues, he proposed mobilizing resources locally. Countries should develop infrastructure to connect with each other. “We must add value to our products,” he stated.

He encouraged looking inward for more trade opportunities among African nations. The AfCFTA offers a chance for increased trade, as many countries have ratified it.

Mahama praised the AfDB for investing in Africa's trade infrastructure. He mentioned funds used for building roads and expanding ports.

These investments have improved the movement of goods and people across Africa. “It is not enough to have a protocol on trade,” he explained.

Without railways or highways, trading becomes difficult. In Ghana, expanded ports now receive larger ships from all over Africa.

This development has opened Tema Port to bigger vessels, aiding landlocked countries' access to trade routes.