Ghana's Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI) and TradeMark Africa (TMA) have renewed their partnership. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen trade facilitation, boost exports, and support sustainable economic growth. This agreement builds on a previous partnership established in January 2023.
The renewed agreement reinforces both institutions' commitment to deepen collaboration. They will implement Ghana’s obligations under key trade frameworks. These include the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) trade agenda. The partnership aims to make trade easier and more efficient for Ghana.
This collaboration is crucial for Ghana's economic development. It aligns with national priorities focused on private sector-led growth, industrialisation, and job creation. Ghana seeks to develop a resilient, export-driven economy. The partnership supports these goals by improving trade infrastructure and market access. This will help Ghana become a leading regional trade and investment hub.
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and TradeMark Africa's Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Allen Sophia Asiimwe, signed the MoU. Ms. Ofosu-Adjare highlighted significant achievements from the previous partnership. These include the recent commissioning of improved border management systems at the Akanu–Noepe Joint Border Post. She noted that integrated digital customs systems and modern infrastructure at the border now allow 24-hour operations. This has helped reduce delays in the movement of goods.
Under the renewed partnership, TradeMark Africa and the Ministry will continue implementing the Ghana Country Programme Strategy. This strategy focuses on impactful interventions in trade facilitation, regional integration, private sector competitiveness, and improved market access. The agreement will support efforts to modernise Ghana’s border management systems. It will also strengthen digital trade infrastructure and improve logistics networks. This aims to reduce the time and cost of moving goods along the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor.
The partnership will also promote stronger standards and quality systems. This will enhance the competitiveness of Ghanaian exports, especially agricultural and manufactured products. A key focus is expanding opportunities for women, young people, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They will participate in regional and AfCFTA trade through inclusive trade interventions and improved access to trade finance. The agreement will also support Ghana’s preparedness for emerging green trade requirements.
Ms. Asiimwe commended the Government, particularly the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, for its continued collaboration. She expressed optimism that the renewed partnership would further deepen cooperation and deliver greater results. Beyond infrastructure and technology, the collaboration has supported traders and businesses. It has strengthened institutional capacity, trained border officials, and provided export-readiness support to SMEs. More than 1,250 women and small-scale cross-border traders have benefited from support on AfCFTA procedures, simplified trade processes, and safer trading environments.
The renewed MoU is expected to provide a platform for scaling up investments and increasing exports. It will advance Ghana’s ambition of becoming a leading regional trade and investment hub. This initiative is crucial for Ghana's long-term economic stability and growth. It will create more jobs and foster a more competitive business environment. The focus on digital infrastructure and efficient logistics will also improve Ghana's position in global trade.