The International Trade Centre (ITC), through its ‘One Trade Africa Initiative’ and the Alliances for Action (A4A) programme, in collaboration with Afreximbank and the ECOWAS Commission, recently organized a comprehensive workshop on exporting in Accra. The event aimed to equip Ghanaian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the knowledge and skills necessary to leverage the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
A Strategic Move Towards Intra-Africa Trade
Ghana is one of the select countries participating in the pilot Guided Trade Initiative under the AfCFTA. This initiative seeks to facilitate trade among African nations, promoting economic integration and growth. The four-day workshop, titled “How to Export with the AfCFTA,” included a training component for trainers and SMEs, particularly in the cocoa and coffee sectors. Other sectors, such as beauty/cosmetics and fashion, also participated, broadening the scope of the event.
Capacity Building for SMEs
The workshop’s primary goal was to educate participants on the unique aspects and vast opportunities of the African market, emphasizing the potential for accessing new markets within Africa. Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of intra-Africa trade and strategies to add value to their goods to meet market demands.
Ms. Regina Hammond, ITC’s AfCFTA Liaison Advisor, praised the collaborative efforts of ITC, Afreximbank, and the ECOWAS Commission. She highlighted the importance of equipping trainers and SMEs with the necessary skills to trade effectively under AfCFTA preferences.
Mr. Ismael AMADOU TIDJANI, Trade Facilitation Expert at the ECOWAS Commission, emphasized that the initiative aligns with ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the Regional Strategy for AfCFTA Implementation. This strategy aims to empower women and youth, driving growth and job creation in the region.
Insights from Industry Experts
During the workshop, Divine Kutortse, Programme Manager at the Ghana National AfCFTA Coordination Office, underscored the significant market opportunities for Ghanaian cocoa and coffee products within Africa. He provided detailed guidance on how Ghanaian businesses can capitalize on these opportunities through value addition and stakeholder cooperation.
Larry Attipoe, National Coordinator for ITC’s Alliances for Action value chain work in Ghana, noted that the workshop aimed to help SMEs navigate the challenges of exporting their products. He emphasized the importance of understanding specific country rules and potential challenges to successfully enter new markets.
Wisdom Tawiah from Afreximbank reiterated the bank’s commitment to promoting intra-African trade and encouraged participants to apply the lessons learned to position Ghanaian businesses as leaders in the cocoa and coffee sectors.
Participant Feedback and Future Plans
Participants expressed their satisfaction with the workshop, describing it as informative and transformational. They pledged to implement the knowledge gained to expand their businesses and fully utilize the benefits of the AfCFTA.
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The “How to Export with the AfCFTA” workshops are being rolled out across the ECOWAS region and the broader continent to equip small businesses to take maximum advantage of intra-African trade opportunities. Additionally, ITC and Afreximbank have established a free online training platform, which has already trained over 10,000 SMEs, further supporting the growth and development of African businesses.
This collaborative effort marks a significant step towards empowering Ghanaian SMEs, fostering economic integration, and enhancing trade within Africa.