Africa’s severe infrastructure deficit is actively choking the continent from harvesting the true economic potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), President John Dramani Mahama has stated.
Despite establishing a unified continental market designed to boost intra-African commerce, President Mahama warned that fragmented road links between neighboring states, nonexistent railway integration, and substandard port facilities remain severe roadblocks to seamless trade across borders.
Addressing reporters ahead of a bilateral engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Ghanaian leader singled out the persistent infrastructure gap as the single greatest impediment to the trade pact’s success.
“Even though we have passed what we call the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which makes the whole of Africa one market, we cannot get the full potential of the AfCFTA because we do not even have the infrastructure for trading amongst ourselves,” President Mahama observed.
He noted that until key cross-border highways, operational rail networks, and modernised sea ports are aggressively expanded, the primary goals underpinning AfCFTA will remain largely unrealised on the ground.
To address these critical shortfalls, President Mahama advocated for robust international trade partnerships, highlighting Russia as a crucial partner capable of supporting Africa’s broader industrial and infrastructure agenda.
Reflecting on long-standing historical ties, he pointed out that Moscow has historically stood alongside the continent during pivotal moments in its political evolution.
“Russia has been a friend and has expressed solidarity with Africa on very key issues. You took part in the fight against apartheid, advocacy against colonialism and so we see Russia as a true friend,” he recalled.
President Mahama expressed confidence that deepened economic and structural cooperation between Russia and African nations would not only consolidate historical bonds but also accelerate mutual growth across the continent.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana