Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has issued a powerful call for accountability and tangible results in Africa’s quest for economic integration, stating that the continent’s progress will ultimately be measured by its ability to deliver on infrastructure and institutional trust.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Africa Trade Summit 2026 in Accra, the Vice President emphasised that “vision” alone is no longer enough to sustain the momentum of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“When our vision is assessed in the future, it will be judged by whether infrastructure projects were completed within a reasonable time and cost, and whether firms were able to scale or remain competitive,” she told the gathering of continental leaders and trade experts.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang outlined a rigorous standard for evaluating the current wave of continental efforts. She noted that the true indicators of success would be whether trade has become cost-effective, faster, and predictable, and most importantly, whether the institutions tasked with managing these systems have retained the public’s trust.
While acknowledging the “effort, coordination, and leadership” currently driving the continent, she warned that maintaining this momentum requires deliberate, interconnected investments.
The Vice President identified five “practical priorities” that she believes are essential for enduring reform across Africa:
- Intra-African Trade:Deepening the exchange of goods and services between neighboring nations.
- Industrial Policy:Supporting priority sectors, building specialised skills, and embracing sustainable production methods.
- Infrastructure and Connectivity:Physical and digital links to bridge the gap between markets.
- Innovation and Technology:Leveraging new tools to drive efficiency and global competitiveness.
- Institutional Capacity and Governance:The foundational “anchor” without which no economic reform can survive.
Reiterating the host nation’s dedication to these goals, the Vice President concluded by affirming that Ghana is “committed to playing her part in this continental transformation.” She urged other member states to match this commitment with action, ensuring that Africa moves from a consumer of global goods to a competitive manufacturing hub.
The Africa Trade Summit 2026, themed around financing industrialisation and market integration, wrapped up after two days of high-level dialogue aimed at turning policy into measurable industrial outcomes.
Eben Agyekum-Boateng, 3Business
