Rising global trade fragmentation and uncertainty over supply chains are creating fresh risks for developing economies, but the World Bank says Ghana still has significant opportunities to position itself as a stronger regional and global trade player.
The World Bank maintains Ghana can take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area by deepening regional value chains, strengthening export competitiveness and accelerating efforts toward a more diversified export sector.
Speaking during the 2026 Seminar Series in Accra, Regional Director of the World Bank Group, Seynabou Sakho, said expanding trade remains one of the most effective pathways for creating jobs, boosting productivity and supporting long-term economic transformation.
“If you think about the global trading system, it’s becoming more uncertain and more fragmented. That means that while countries are rethinking supply chains, industrial policy, food security, technology and market access, they still don’t have that platform to help them do it as a collective,” she stated.
“For countries like Ghana, this creates risk, but also whenever you have risk, the other pendant is opportunities. And you should never let the risk prevent you from seizing on the opportunities,” she added.
Ms. Sakho stressed that trade expansion remains central to building stronger economies and improving livelihoods.
“So this is a priority area for the World Bank Group, because trade expansion remains one of the most powerful channels for creating jobs, raising productivity and supporting structural transformation. And we all know that’s the way to create more prosperous economies and creating more and better jobs,” she said.
Highlighting Ghana’s strategic role in regional and global trade, she noted that the country is well-positioned to benefit from growing continental integration under the AfCFTA framework.
“Ghana has a role also within both the region and the continent and beyond the continent, the world. When you see how Ghana’s export fair, it’s a global country when it comes to trade,” she noted.
“More than that, Ghana can also take advantage of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement by building regional value chains and strengthening progress in a more diversified export sector,” she added.
