Dr. Yemi Kale Urges Ghana to Champion Intra-African Trade
Dr. Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist and Managing Director of Research at Afreximbank, has called on Ghana to take a leading role in advancing intra-African trade. Speaking at the Ghana Roadshow for the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) in Accra, Dr. Kale emphasized that the time for Africa’s trade transformation is now—and Ghana is well-positioned to lead the charge.
“We invite Ghana to lead,” he declared, addressing stakeholders across both public and private sectors. He encouraged early and strategic preparations for IATF 2025, which will take place from September 4–10 in Algiers, Algeria.
A Platform for Africa’s Trade Future
IATF is the flagship commercial initiative of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), providing a dynamic marketplace for African goods, services, and investment. The 2025 edition is expected to feature over 2,000 exhibitors from more than 75 countries and draw approximately 35,000 participants. It aims to facilitate more than US$44 billion in trade and investment deals.
The event will include a seven-day exhibition, a four-day investment forum, and a series of B2B (business-to-business) and B2G (business-to-government) engagements. Key sectors to be showcased include automotive, creative industries, research and innovation, youth entrepreneurship, and the diaspora economy.
Bridging Gaps, Unlocking Potential
Dr. Kale stressed that Africa’s economic challenge is not production capacity, but connectivity. He noted that despite abundant local resources, regions like North and West Africa continue to import basic goods such as meat and leather—highlighting a disconnect that costs the continent jobs and opportunities for diversification.
“These imbalances are missed opportunities,” he said, urging stakeholders to rethink value chains and improve intra-African linkages.
He also highlighted the importance of timely, reliable market information for successful trade. Platforms like IATF, he said, are critical in bridging this gap, facilitating visibility, and enabling informed decision-making.
Tools for Transformation
To address trade bottlenecks, Dr. Kale pointed to Afreximbank’s continued investment in trade-enabling tools such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). PAPSS aims to streamline cross-border transactions, reduce reliance on foreign currencies, and accelerate trade across the continent.
Reflecting on past successes, he noted that the IATF has already proven its impact. Previous editions—in Cairo (2018 and 2023) and Durban (2021)—attracted over 70,000 visitors and generated more than US$100 billion in trade deals.
A Call to Action
Dr. Kale urged Ghanaian businesses, cooperatives, startups, creatives, and government agencies to start preparing now. “Let us ensure Ghana is not just present, but prominent,” he concluded.
With its strong economic base, vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, and strategic role within the AfCFTA framework, Ghana has both the capacity and the credibility to lead Africa’s trade revolution—starting with IATF 2025.
