Borderless Alliance reports only 17 per cent AfCFTA awareness in Ghana

The National President of the Borderless Alliance, Mr. Ziad Hamoui, has revealed that only 17 per cent of Ghanaians are aware of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This low level of awareness reflects a broader trend across the continent, where an estimated 87 per cent of the total population remains uninformed about the trade agreement. Speaking on the findings, Mr. Hamoui warned that this significant awareness gap could prevent Ghana and other African nations from fully capitalizing on the economic opportunities presented by the landmark continental trade deal.

According to the Borderless Alliance, the lack of public knowledge presents a major barrier to the growth of local businesses that could otherwise benefit from duty-free trade across African borders. Mr. Hamoui emphasized that for the AfCFTA to be successful, there must be a concerted effort to increase public education and ensure that businesses understand how to leverage the agreement's protocols. He called for the prioritization of integrating AfCFTA agreements into national laws, alongside fostering stronger cooperation between the private sector and government agencies to ensure smooth implementation.

Contributing to the discussion, Professor Paul Nugent highlighted a persistent disconnect between high-level policy formulation and practical implementation on the ground. He argued that while the framework for the AfCFTA is robust at the continental level, its actual impact on everyday traders remains limited by a lack of understanding of their specific needs. Professor Nugent advocated for targeted research to bridge this gap, ensuring that trade policies reflect the real-world challenges faced by small and medium-scale enterprises and cross-border traders.

The success of the AfCFTA is widely seen as dependent on more than just signing treaties; it requires a functional environment where information flows freely to the individuals and organizations meant to benefit from it. Without addressing the current awareness deficit, stakeholders worry the agreement risks becoming a missed opportunity for genuine economic integration. Moving forward, the Borderless Alliance and other advocacy groups are expected to push for more transparent and accessible information channels to help Ghanaian traders navigate the complexities of the burgeoning continental market.