Mahama Calls for Massive Infrastructure Investment to Boost AfCFTA Success
President John Mahama has emphasized the critical need for substantial infrastructure investment across Africa to fully realize the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
In a meeting with AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, Mahama stressed that robust transportation networks, including roads, railways, and digital connectivity, are essential for facilitating seamless trade on the continent.
“Poor connections and links across the continent will continue to hinder the exchange of goods and services, slowing progress,” Mahama stated in a Facebook post. He highlighted the African Union-NEPAD vision, which advocates proactive steps to open up African economies for greater integration.
Mahama pointed to key infrastructure projects, such as the Abidjan-Lagos corridor and its potential extension to Dakar, as game-changers for intra-African trade. “Imagine the impact of investing in such crucial routes. It would create a seamless channel for trade, significantly boosting commerce,” he said.
As Ghana hosts the AfCFTA Secretariat, Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to supporting its mission, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts to drive economic growth and regional integration.
The call comes as African nations continue working to overcome logistical and bureaucratic barriers to trade under the AfCFTA, which aims to create the world’s largest free trade area by population.
