The commitment followed high‑level engagements between Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama and Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema, where both leaders pledged to expand cooperation in trade, investment and value‑addition, while exploring new partnership opportunities aligned with AfCFTA priorities.
The discussions come at a time when African economies are increasingly prioritising regional integration, industrialisation and economic resilience amid global uncertainty. Despite progress, only around 14 to 15% of Africa’s trade currently occurs within the continent, a figure significantly lower than intra‑regional trade in Europe, Asia or the Americas.
Speaking to Channel Africa on Friday, Zambia‑based economist Trevor Hambayi said strengthening bilateral relations between African countries remains essential for unlocking the full potential of the AfCFTA. He described the presidential visit as strategically important, noting that Africa continues to trade more with Europe than with neighbouring states, a pattern that continues to undermine the continent’s ability to add value to its own resources.
Hambayi said the decision by Ghana and Zambia to discuss easing visa requirements was particularly significant, arguing that free movement of people is an essential enabler of commerce, investment and knowledge exchange. Reducing travel barriers, he said, is an important step toward making intra‑African trade more seamless.
Asked about the main structural barriers that have historically limited trade between the two countries, Hambayi pointed to chronic logistics constraints. Transport and freight infrastructure linking African economies has lagged behind infrastructure connecting the continent to international markets.
While air connectivity has seen some improvement in recent years, land and sea freight routes remain underdeveloped or poorly integrated. He said such logistical gaps limit the flow of goods and raise transaction costs, making intra‑African trade more difficult than trading with distant markets.
Hambayi added that agriculture, mining and manufacturing, all sectors identified in the new memoranda of understanding, represent immediate opportunities for expanding bilateral trade. He noted that agriculture remains Africa’s strongest resource base, given the continent’s vast arable land and abundant water bodies.
Ghana’s dominant position in cocoa production, for example, offers opportunities for collaborative value‑addition industries that could help retain more economic gains within Africa. Mining represents another major opportunity, while tourism, supported by Africa’s rapidly growing population, expected to reach two billion by 2030, could become an important driver of domestic and regional markets.
Turning to how Ghana and Zambia can ensure that AfCFTA agreements lead to tangible trade outcomes, Hambayi said infrastructure development must be prioritised. Improved road networks, efficient border management and enhanced air‑freight connections between West and Southern Africa would create the backbone for predictable, large‑scale trade flows. But he emphasised that such infrastructure cannot rely solely on government financing. Bilateral projects must include private‑sector partners capable of driving sustainable investment, reducing delays and improving cost efficiencies.
Additionally, Hambayi said regulatory frameworks must become more practical and implementation‑focused. Agreements alone are not enough unless accompanied by harmonised customs procedures, predictable rules and transparent processes that make it easier for businesses to trade across borders. He noted that private‑sector involvement is critical not only in financing infrastructure but also in shaping operational systems that are commercially viable.
Hambayi concluded that while the political will shown by Ghana and Zambia is encouraging, the success of their cooperation will depend on translating commitments into real, measurable trade flows. That requires decisive action to upgrade infrastructure, streamline processes and engage private investors across key sectors. If done effectively, he said, the partnership could serve as a model for how African countries can fully harness the AfCFTA to transform their economies and strengthen regional integration.
–CHannelAfrica–
