The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) has expressed strong support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat’s proposed business visa initiative, aimed at streamlining cross-border trade and enhancing ease of doing business across the continent.

During a high-level engagement in Accra on March 24, 2025, GNCCI President Mr. Stephane Miezan led a delegation to meet with H.E. Wamkele Keabetswe Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Discussions focused on tackling long-standing trade barriers and fostering a private sector-driven approach to economic integration.

Mr. Miezan highlighted the major challenges impeding Africa’s trade potential, including high logistics costs, fragmented regulatory frameworks, and complex border procedures.

He emphasised that shifting from government-led “guided trade” initiatives to a private sector-driven model would unlock greater economic opportunities across the continent.

Additionally, he underscored the importance of regional trade corridors, particularly the Lagos-Abidjan route, as key to facilitating seamless market access for businesses.

"Developing such corridors is not just about building infrastructure; it’s about creating seamless access to new markets for businesses," he stated.

As part of GNCCI’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship, Mr. Miezan introduced the “GNCCI Way” initiative, designed to equip young entrepreneurs and women with skills and resources to enhance their participation in trade, thereby addressing unemployment and fostering innovation in Ghana’s business landscape.

In response, H.E. Mene reaffirmed the AfCFTA Secretariat’s commitment to improving intra-African trade facilitation. He provided updates on the AfCFTA Free Movement Protocol, which allows for the free movement of people, residence, and business establishment.

While 33 countries have signed the protocol, only four (Rwanda, Niger, Mali, and São Tomé and Príncipe) have ratified it, slowing progress toward seamless trade.

To address this challenge, he announced plans for a business visa initiative, which would simplify visa procedures for business professionals, ensuring that trade and talent mobility are not hindered.

Citing the successful visa facilitation agreement between Ghana and South Africa, which enabled nearly 180 business transactions, he noted that such models could be expanded across Africa to promote smoother trade relations.

Beyond mobility, H.E. Mene revealed that the AfCFTA Secretariat is developing an "adjustments fund", an advanced credit mechanism aimed at providing financial support to African businesses struggling with limited access to affordable capital.

Additionally, as part of a broader push for inclusive trade growth, the Secretariat is working on a Women and Youth Protocol in partnership with UNDP and UN Women.

This initiative seeks to empower women and young entrepreneurs by increasing their participation in intra-African trade under the AfCFTA framework.

Both GNCCI and the AfCFTA Secretariat reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration, with H.E. Mene assuring that the Secretariat would support GNCCI’s advocacy and capacity-building initiatives.

"We are ready to work hand-in-hand with the Chamber to drive policies that will transform Africa’s trade landscape," he stated.

MA

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