At the 8th Africa–Singapore Business Forum, President John Dramani Mahama presented Ghana as the most reliable entry point for investors eyeing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He stressed that Accra’s hosting of the AfCFTA Secretariat, combined with Ghana’s ECOWAS access to over 400 million consumers, makes the country a natural hub for scaling across Africa.
Mahama pointed to the continent’s strengths: a young, digitally connected population of 1.4 billion, a $3.4 trillion single market, and leadership in mobile money and fintech.
“Africa is investable, and Ghana is your reliable gateway to the continent,” he declared.
He urged stronger Africa–Asia collaboration, describing the two regions as the youngest and fastest-urbanising in the world, with complementary markets, resources, and expertise.
Partnerships, he argued, should focus on open markets, trusted rules, and tangible results such as jobs and technology transfer.
Trade data underscored the momentum. Africa–Singapore trade rose nearly 50% from 2020 to 2024 to reach about $14 billion, with West Africa taking more than half.
Ghana’s bilateral trade with Singapore exceeded $215 million in 2024, while Singaporean firms in Ghana have committed over $2 billion.
Mahama also acknowledged global headwinds, warning that multilateralism is under threat as tariffs rise and supply chains weaken. In this climate, he said, Africa must form new alliances to stay competitive.
Finally, he showcased Ghana’s reform agenda, pledging a 24-hour economy where infrastructure, incentives and skills align to keep factories, farms, ports and services running at full capacity. “Ghana is open for business 24 hours a day,” he affirmed.
