Prez. Mahama Rallies Africa to Invest in Strategic Infrastructure to Unlock AfCFTA’s Full Potential

President John Dramani Mahama is urging African governments to massively scale up investments in strategic infrastructure such as transport networks and digital connectivity, as a necessary step to unlock the full promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

For President Mahama the AfCFTA dream of seamless economic integration will never materialize for all Africans without strategic and coordinated infrastructural development across the continent.

The president made this call during a courtesy call by Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Intra-African Trade Choked by Connectivity Gaps

In an interaction with the Secretary-General of AfCFTA, President Mahama highlighted the serious toll that poor road and rail links have taken on the effectiveness of regional trade agreements.

He bemoaned that across Africa, there is a struggle to turn our integration ambitions into results because the physical connections, such as roads, rails, ports, and digital systems, simply don’t exist or are inadequate.

Drawing on his Pan-African experience and longstanding interest in regional trade, President Mahama emphasized the need for accelerated investment under the vision of the African Union’s New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AU-NEPAD), which aims to transform the continent’s economic architecture through infrastructure-led growth.

Spotlight on the Abidjan–Lagos–Dakar Trade Corridor

Citing the bustling trade along the Abidjan–Lagos corridor, Mahama proposed that this coastal route be extended westward to Dakar, effectively creating a seamless West African trade artery.

“If we invest in crucial corridors like the Abidjan-Lagos route and extend it all the way to Dakar, we will create a seamless channel for the exchange of goods, significantly boosting intra-African trade,” he stated.

He further pointed to increasing trade volumes between Ghana and its Sahelian neighbours, Burkina Faso and Mali, noting that improved transit infrastructure could catalyze a new era of regional commerce.

To him, there is huge potential in transit trade, especially with landlocked countries, noting that Ghana can be positioned as a gateway for efficient road, rail, and port systems that serve the broader West African market.

Ghana’s Commitment to AfCFTA’s Success

Reaffirming Ghana’s dedication to continental trade integration, Mahama praised the AfCFTA Secretariat’s work and reiterated his government’s resolve to support its progress.

He expressed his excitement about Ghana hosting the Secretariat, adding that it is not just an institution but a symbol of Africa’s economic future. He made a pledge to the Wamkele Mene that Ghana remains fully committed to supporting the work of the secretariat.

AfCFTA Progress: Strong Ratification, Growing Trade

For his part, Wamkele Mene congratulated Mahama on his re-election and Ghana for the peaceful transition of power. He also provided an encouraging update on the AfCFTA’s implementation.

He noted that 49 out of 55 African Union member states have now ratified the agreement, while 24 countries, including Ghana, are actively trading under the AfCFTA framework.

He noted that AfCFTA is making steady progress, and Ghana has been instrumental as a pilot country. He further acknowledged that countries such as Benin, Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea are yet to ratify the pact.

The Path Forward: Trade Built on Infrastructure

President Mahama’s remarks serve as a timely reminder that AfCFTA’s success hinges not only on treaties and policies but also on concrete investments in roads, rails, ports, and digital networks.

As Africa’s largest free trade project continues to unfold, President Mahama’s call underscores a fundamental truth: without infrastructure, integration is only a dream.

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