Africa Prosperity Dialogues: Leaders Demand Removal of Trade Barriers to Empower Women and SMEs under AfCFTA

The 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogues held in Accra have become a focal point for urgent calls to dismantle persistent trade barriers that hinder the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Prominent leaders and industry giants emphasized that while the trade agreement offers a historic opportunity for continental integration, its success depends on addressing the practical, ground-level challenges faced by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), particularly those led by women and youth. Speakers warned that without strategic implementation and a shift from dialogue to action, the ambitious goals of AfCFTA could remain unfulfilled.

Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Ghana’s Deputy Chief of Staff, delivered a compelling case for the strategic support of women in trade, noting that women represent nearly 70% of informal cross-border commerce in Africa. Drawing on observations from her recent travels, including to The Gambia, she highlighted the unique vulnerabilities women face at borders. Bampoe Addo advocated for a multi-faceted approach to empowerment, calling for simplified border processes, improved access to trade finance, and the adoption of digital solutions. She stressed that the AfCFTA protocols must be intentionally implemented to protect and promote these traders, cautioning against the dangers of stagnation if policies are not translated into reality.

Echoing these concerns from a private sector perspective, Daniel McKorley, Executive Chairman of the McDan Group, identified logistics and administrative inefficiencies as the primary