Ghana has voiced concern over the limited involvement of African small and medium-sized enterprises in cross-border trade, warning that the continent’s economic transformation ambitions risk falling short without stronger inclusion.
Speaking at the 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogues in Accra, Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang stressed that despite the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area, fewer than 20 percent of SMEs are engaged in export trade, a gap she described as a major setback to Africa’s drive toward a single, integrated economic market.
She highlighted the AfCFTA as the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries, covering a market of about 1.3 billion people and offering Africa a clear route from dependency to self-reliance.
However, she cautioned that sustainable prosperity must be inclusive, noting that SMEs account for roughly 80 percent of jobs across the continent and play a vital role in GDP growth.
The Vice President also emphasized the contribution of women, who represent nearly half of Africa’s workforce and dominate micro and small enterprises, yet continue to face persistent barriers to finance, mobility, and access to regional markets.
