Amid rising global trade tensions, Ghana has a unique opportunity to position itself as a strategic export hub, particularly within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), according to Michael Kottoh, Managing Partner at policy advisory firm Konfidants.
Speaking at the 2025 Citi Business Forum themed “The Global Tariffs Dispute: Navigating Ghana’s Recovery Strategy,” and held in Accra on Thursday June 12, he noted that while trade wars between major economies pose risks, they also open doors for smaller economies like Ghana to capitalise on emerging supply chain gaps.
“In terms of opportunities, we could seize U.S. niche advantages while rivals pay higher tariffs,” he noted. “Lesotho has been crying a lot, South Africa is complaining a lot—we could potentially, using AfCFTA, attract some of that export.”
A Pathway to Garment Sector Growth
Kottoh emphasised the potential for Ghana to expand its garment and textile sector by absorbing production contracts that are under pressure in other African nations.
Countries like Lesotho, which have been struggling with shifting global trade conditions, could see some of their export-oriented manufacturing relocate to Ghana, he suggested.
“Lesotho could relocate some of those contracts to Ghana,” Kottoh explained. “So these are potential advantages—but we need to be strategic and understand which product lines, which value chains, which alliances and partnerships are required to take advantage of these.”
Strategic Planning Is Key
While the global tariff disputes have created disruptions in traditional trade routes, Kottoh cautioned that Ghana’s ability to benefit from these shifts will depend on clear strategy, sector-specific focus, and targeted partnerships across supply chains.
“We need to be strategic and understand which product lines, which value chains, which alliances and partnerships are required to take advantage of these.”
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