By Mavis Paintsil, Accra
Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has urged African countries to shift from dependency to integration, empowering SMEs, women, and youth to drive shared prosperity.
Speaking at the 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogues, she emphasized that excluding these groups from development is “unsustainable”.
SMEs account for 80% of employment, women make up nearly half the workforce, and youth constitute over 60% of the population, yet their participation in cross-border trade is limited.
The AfCFTA, headquartered in Accra, is a key opportunity for Africa’s growth.
Ghana is supporting this agenda through initiatives like the 24-hour economy policy and the “Big Push” infrastructure development programme, aimed at boosting productivity, trade, and industrial growth.
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the Africa Prosperity Network Advisory Council, added that empowering these groups is essential to AfCFTA’s success and Africa’s long-term development.
The Africa Prosperity Dialogues aims to advance practical solutions for economic integration and accelerate AfCFTA implementation.
However, challenges remain, including access to finance, skills, and markets for SMEs, women, and youth.
Efficient cross-border payment systems are also crucial for Africa’s single market success.
“Trade agreements alone do not create trade; payments make trade possible,” said Mrs Matilda Asante-Asiedu, Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana.
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