President John Dramani Mahama has urged African leaders to build a conducive business climate to attract foreign investment as a means of strengthening local economies.
Addressing the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9), he underscored the importance of unlocking the full benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to drive growth, expand trade, and accelerate development across the continent.
At TICAD-9, President Mahama co-chaired the second plenary session under the theme “Economy: Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa.” He shared the platform with former Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, alongside key interventions from Kenyan President William Ruto, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa.
Discussions focused on highlighting Africa’s readiness for meaningful trade partnerships. The Ghanaian leader stressed that Africa must reposition itself to attract investments that yield real benefits for its citizens, guided by a value-for-money approach.
He also reaffirmed Ghana’s preparedness to engage investors on a mutually beneficial “win-win” basis, while calling for greater exposure of the continent’s economic potential.
In his closing remarks, President Mahama noted that TICAD-9 comes at a critical moment in a rapidly evolving global trade order. He urged African leaders to adapt strategically to new economic realities.
He further expressed concern that the world’s largest economy, which should ideally lead global trade and investment, has instead become more inward-looking and transactional. This, he said, presents an opportunity for Africa to reshape trade models and set new, inclusive targets.
Source: Kwame Anum
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