World Bank urges Ghana to leverage AfCFTA amid global trade uncertainty

The World Bank has warned that growing global trade fragmentation and uncertainty surrounding supply chains are creating new risks for developing economies, but says Ghana still has strong opportunities to position itself as a major regional and global trade player.

According to the World Bank, Ghana can benefit significantly from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by strengthening regional value chains, improving export competitiveness and accelerating efforts toward a more diversified export sector.

Speaking at the 2026 Seminar Series in Accra, the Regional Director of the World Bank Group, Seynabou Sakho, said trade expansion remains one of the most effective tools for job creation, productivity growth and long-term economic transformation.

“If you think about the global trading system, it's becoming more uncertain and more fragmented. That means that while countries are rethinking supply chains, industrial policy, food security, technology and market access, they still don't have that platform to help them do it as a collective,” she stated.

“For countries like Ghana, this creates risk, but also whenever you have risk, the other pendant is opportunities. And you should never let the risk prevent you from seizing on the opportunities,” she added.

Ms Sakho emphasised that expanding trade continues to play a critical role in building stronger economies and improving livelihoods.

“So this is a priority area for the World Bank Group, because trade expansion remains one of the most powerful channels for creating jobs, raising productivity and supporting structural transformation. And we all know that's the way to create more prosperous economies and creating more and better jobs,” she said.

Highlighting Ghana’s strategic position within regional and international trade, she noted that the country is well placed to take advantage of increasing continental integration under the AfCFTA framework.

“Ghana has a role also within both the region and the continent and beyond the continent, the world. When you see how Ghana's export fair, it's a global country when it comes to trade,” she noted.

“More than that, Ghana can also take advantage of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement by building regional value chains and strengthening progress in a more diversified export sector,” she added.