President Mahama Invites Singaporean Investors to Explore $3.4 Trillion African Continental Free Trade Area
Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has extended invitation to Singaporean investors to tap into Africa’s massive economic potential, describing the continent as “the world’s most dynamic emerging market today” during the Singapore-Africa Business Forum.
Speaking to a gathering of entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers, President Mahama emphasized Africa’s readiness for investment, stating: “Africa is investable, and Ghana is your reliable gateway to that continent.”
The President highlighted the remarkable growth in Africa-Singapore trade relations, noting that “Africa’s Singapore trade rose by 50% between 2020 and 2024, to nearly $14 billion with West Africa accounting for more than half of that.”
**A $3.4 Trillion Market Opportunity**
President Mahama positioned the African Continental Free Trade Area as a game-changing opportunity for investors. “The African continental free trade area is the largest new free trade area in the world by number of countries, and this creates a $3.4 trillion market and lowered barriers across supply chains on the continent,” he explained.
The President painted a picture of Africa’s demographic dividend, describing the continent as home to “1.4 billion people, young, fast urbanizing, digitally connected, rapidly growing middle class” with “Africa’s cities will host more than 700 million consumers by 2030.”
**Ghana as Strategic Gateway**
Positioning Ghana as the ideal entry point, President Mahama noted: “As host of the African continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Ghana sits at the heart of the 3.4 trillion single market. Through ECOWAS, we connect you to more than 400 million consumers in West Africa.”
He assured investors of Ghana’s commitment to creating a favorable business environment, stating: “We offer political stability, a rules-based environment, a double taxation agreement with Singapore, which has been enforced since 2019 and a growing base of Singaporean investors, 69 registered companies with accumulative investments exceeding $2 billion.”
**Five Pillars of Collaboration**
The President outlined five key areas for partnership: “efficient green supply chains,” “agribusiness and food systems,” “clean energy and carbon markets,” “digital economy and services,” and “advanced manufacturing and critical minerals.”
On clean energy cooperation, he announced: “Ghana and Singapore signed an Article Six implementation agreement in 2024 we’ve established a carbon market office and Ghana carbon registry anchored in new environmental legislation.”
**Direct Invitation to Investors**
President Mahama extended a personal invitation to business leaders: “On day three of this state visit, as part of the Africa forum, will hold a presidential Business Roundtable. Join us, bring your teams, put Ghana’s readiness to the test.”
He promised comprehensive support, stating: “We’ll showcase bankable projects, provide direct access to our regulators outline incentives for strategic investors and offer a one stop investor concierge so decisions can be made quickly and confidently.”
The President concluded with a clear value proposition: “Our position is straightforward, a stable, reform minded country connected to the African continental free trade area, a 24 hour economy that matches your needs for speed, reliability and standards.”
The forum represents a significant step in strengthening Africa-Singapore economic ties, with both regions positioned to benefit from increased collaboration and investment flows.
