Ghana is importing more goods within the trade area
Louis Yaw Afful, an International Trade Consultant, has expressed concern that the rapid expansion of digital and e‑commerce trade in Ghana poses a growing threat to the country’s manufacturing sector and Africa’s export competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Afful, who is also an AfCFTA and Investment Promotion Consultant, noted that although digital platforms have widened market access, about 70 per cent of products traded online in Ghana are imported from outside Africa, particularly from Asia.
Speaking at a Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) media forum on the topic “Investment Outlook in Ghana under AfCFTA”, he explained that the influx of cheap foreign goods through digital channels is edging out domestically produced items, including products for which Ghana has adequate raw materials.
He cautioned that a weakened local manufacturing base would undermine Ghana’s capacity to export competitively under AfCFTA and could destabilise foreign exchange earnings.
Afful therefore called for stronger import‑substitution measures, effective enforcement of digital taxation, and deliberate support for domestic producers to safeguard Ghana’s industrial foundation.
Touching on Ghana’s current performance under the AfCFTA, he noted that the country is importing more goods within the trade area than it exports—an imbalance that raises concerns about Ghana’s trade position in the bloc.
He indicated that trade data show Ghana accounts for over 40 per cent of imports within the AfCFTA preferential trading system, while its export share remains relatively low.
“If you look at the AfCFTA import and export data, we have been at the receiving end… others are exporting more to Ghana. South Africa has about 50 per cent on the export side,” he said.
Source:
www.ghanaweb.com