Accra: Mr Ziad Hamoui, a Fellow at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), has emphasized the necessity for public-private partnerships to align national, regional, and continental policy priorities to enhance intra-Africa trade volumes. He highlighted the importance of well-informed policymakers in creating effective policies within the African trading space. Mr Hamoui, who also represents CILT on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), addressed this issue during the annual Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)-Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) conference held in Accra.

According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Hamoui highlighted that building trust is crucial for successful public-private partnerships aimed at promoting intra-African trade. He stressed the need for improving transport networks across Africa and enhancing connectivity through all modes of transport, including land, air, and sea. He advocated for an African common framework for short-sea shi
pping and better utilization of the continent’s inland waterways. For land transport, he emphasized the necessity of connecting roads, developing cross-border infrastructure, and facilitating the movement of people.

Mr Hamoui pointed out the high cost of doing business across Africa due to delays at ports and borders, poor infrastructure, and harassment along transit corridors, primarily from uniformed services. He called for immediate action to address these issues. He noted that business challenges, such as diversion along transit corridors, smuggling, insurgency, mis-declaration, under-invoicing, and tax evasion, result in internal trade barriers, food shortages, and significant post-harvest losses.

Mr Baba Adongo, an International Development Consultant, reiterated the significance of AfCFTA opportunities, including reduced tariffs, investment in value addition, agricultural innovation, expanded market access, and job creation. He spoke on the ‘Opportunities and Challenges of Agriculture and Agro-Proces
sing in Relation to AfCFTA,’ emphasizing that AfCFTA offers Ghanaian agribusinesses unprecedented opportunities for expansion and innovation. Adongo stated that the success of these opportunities hinges on addressing infrastructural, financial, and regulatory challenges while fostering collaboration and capacity building.

Ms Anna Lena Sabroso-Wasserfall, KAS Country Representative for Ghana, expressed that the event aimed to create awareness about AfCFTA’s opportunities and guide policymakers in directing support to achieve the action plan’s benefits by 2030. KAS supports AfCFTA’s implementation due to its alignment with KAS’s broader mission to promote democratic governance, economic development, and international cooperation.

Accra: Mr Ziad Hamoui, a Fellow at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), has emphasized the necessity for public-private partnerships to align national, regional, and continental policy priorities to enhance intra-Africa trade volumes. He highlighted the importance of well-informed policymakers in creating effective policies within the African trading space. Mr Hamoui, who also represents CILT on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), addressed this issue during the annual Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)-Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) conference held in Accra.

According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Hamoui highlighted that building trust is crucial for successful public-private partnerships aimed at promoting intra-African trade. He stressed the need for improving transport networks across Africa and enhancing connectivity through all modes of transport, including land, air, and sea. He advocated for an African common framework for short-sea shi
pping and better utilization of the continent’s inland waterways. For land transport, he emphasized the necessity of connecting roads, developing cross-border infrastructure, and facilitating the movement of people.

Mr Hamoui pointed out the high cost of doing business across Africa due to delays at ports and borders, poor infrastructure, and harassment along transit corridors, primarily from uniformed services. He called for immediate action to address these issues. He noted that business challenges, such as diversion along transit corridors, smuggling, insurgency, mis-declaration, under-invoicing, and tax evasion, result in internal trade barriers, food shortages, and significant post-harvest losses.

Mr Baba Adongo, an International Development Consultant, reiterated the significance of AfCFTA opportunities, including reduced tariffs, investment in value addition, agricultural innovation, expanded market access, and job creation. He spoke on the ‘Opportunities and Challenges of Agriculture and Agro-Proces
sing in Relation to AfCFTA,’ emphasizing that AfCFTA offers Ghanaian agribusinesses unprecedented opportunities for expansion and innovation. Adongo stated that the success of these opportunities hinges on addressing infrastructural, financial, and regulatory challenges while fostering collaboration and capacity building.

Ms Anna Lena Sabroso-Wasserfall, KAS Country Representative for Ghana, expressed that the event aimed to create awareness about AfCFTA’s opportunities and guide policymakers in directing support to achieve the action plan’s benefits by 2030. KAS supports AfCFTA’s implementation due to its alignment with KAS’s broader mission to promote democratic governance, economic development, and international cooperation.