Africa Trade Summit 2026 Opens in Accra with Strong Call for bold reforms to accelerate Africa’s Development

The 2026 Africa Trade Summit officially opened on Wednesday at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra, bringing together Heads of State, ministers, development finance leaders, and private sector executives to advance Africa’s industrial and trade transformation.

Organised by the African Trade Chamber, the two-day summit is focused on financing Africa’s industrialisation through value chain development, beneficiation, and deeper market integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

AmCham Ghana participated in the summit with a delegation led by its Chief Executive Officer, Doris Afanyedey, underscoring the Chamber’s commitment to promoting private sector engagement, trade facilitation, and industrial development across Africa.

Opening the summit, President John Dramani Mahama underscored the urgency for Africa to move beyond raw material exports toward manufacturing and value addition. He noted that while Africa is rich in natural resources, it continues to capture only a fraction of global industrial value, a situation that must change if the continent is to create jobs and retain wealth.

The Executive Chair of the African Trade Chamber, Benedicta Lasi, emphasised that Africa’s challenge is no longer about vision but execution, highlighting the need for coordinated industrial policies, reliable energy, efficient infrastructure, and long-term capital to support private sector investment.

Special addresses from UNIDO and Ghana’s Ministry of Trade reinforced the message that AfCFTA is not just a trade agreement but an industrial framework that rewards preparation, competitiveness, and regional integration.

Discussions throughout Day One highlighted the critical role of the private sector, development finance institutions, and regional cooperation in translating policy commitments into measurable industrial outcomes.

As part of Day One proceedings, a Ministerial Dialogue on Industrial Policy, Local Content and Value Creation was held under the theme “Accelerating Africa’s Industrial Transformation: Converting Extraction into Value and Building Industrial Champions.” The session was moderated by Simon Madjie, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC).

Panelists included H.E. Fatou Haidara, Deputy Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); Hon. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Minister of International Relations and Trade of the Republic of Namibia; and Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Ghana’s Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry.

The ministers emphasised the importance of robust industrial policy, effective local content frameworks, and regional value chains in transforming Africa’s extractive sectors into engines of value creation, employment, and competitiveness.

The summit continues today with ministerial dialogues, infrastructure and connectivity plenaries, and private sector engagement sessions aimed at advancing implementation.

 

Welcome Our New Gold Member: IoTeedom Ltd

The American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana is pleased to welcome IoTeedom Ltd as a Gold Member, strengthening our growing community of innovation-driven organizations shaping Ghana’s digital and sustainability future.

 

IoTeedom Ltd is a technology company dedicated to accelerating the transition from traditional urban environments to smart, resilient, and sustainable cities. With urban areas accounting for an estimated 75% of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, IoTeedom focuses on addressing the urgent need for smarter energy use, efficient city operations, and data-driven urban planning.

 

At the core of IoTeedom’s work is a smart city data management software suite that integrates advanced technologies such as big data analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, cybersecurity, advanced modelling, and autonomous systems. The platform enables cities, businesses, and planners to collect, analyze, and interpret urban data—while tracking resiliency indicators, including social impact, environmental performance, and quality of life, in real time.

 

Through actionable insights and continuous learning, IoTeedom supports informed decision-making that helps cities optimize operations, improve sustainability outcomes, and enhance the well-being of residents. The company also places strong emphasis on capacity building and training, empowering stakeholders to actively participate in solving socioeconomic and environmental challenges.

 

We are delighted to welcome IoTeedom Ltd to AmCham Ghana as a Gold Member and look forward to their contributions to our discussions on smart cities, digital innovation, sustainability, and technology-driven development.

 

Welcome to the AmCham Ghana community!

The AmCham ICT & Digital Economy sector Committee, Chaired by IBM West Africa Regional Director, Advances Innovation and AI Adoption

The ICT, Digital Economy & Innovation Committee of AmCham Ghana held its 2nd committee meeting on 21 January 2026, chaired by the Regional Director (West Africa) of IBM Ghana, with a strong focus on innovation and technology adoption among members.

 

Building on earlier policy-focused engagements, the meeting shifted attention to practical, member-driven solutions that support digital adoption, productivity improvements, and alignment with Ghana’s broader innovation agenda.

 

Driving innovation and AI adoption

Members discussed the growing relevance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation in business operations. Conversations emphasized moving beyond theory to practical application, highlighting how responsible AI and trusted digital tools can improve efficiency, build skills, and unlock new opportunities.

 

The Committee also reflected on how private sector experience can constructively inform national innovation conversations, ensuring emerging frameworks remain grounded in real business needs.

 

Strengthening member collaboration

A key theme of the meeting was collaboration within the AmCham network. Members explored ways to enhance information-sharing, peer learning, and coordinated engagement, enabling businesses to better connect expertise and identify opportunities across sectors.

 

Focused, member-centric initiatives

Looking ahead, the Committee will prioritize practical initiatives for members, including:

  • Engaging actively with the  Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations and agencies on the full suite of ICT-related legislative bills, to ensure practical, business-friendly outcomes for members.

 

  • Knowledge-sharing sessions and expert clinics
  • Business-focused digital productivity and innovation discussions
  • Thematic programmes supporting technology adoption

 

What’s next

The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to delivering tangible value for members, supporting responsible innovation, and contributing to a competitive, future-ready digital economy.

 

Members are encouraged to participate in upcoming programmes, including the ICT Data Protection Week themed webinar scheduled for 28 January, and other committee activities planned for the year.

View Event Pictures Here.

AmCham Ghana Opens 2026 with Inaugural Economic Insight Forum

AmCham Ghana officially kicked off its 2026 programme calendar with its maiden engagement of the year, the 2026 Economic Insight Forum, held on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, at the Mövenpick Hotel, Accra

Hosted in partnership with the PwC Ghana, the half-day high-level forum was convened under the theme:

“Ghana’s 2026 Economic Outlook: Risks, Opportunities & Policy Imperatives.”

The Forum brought together AmCham members, senior executives, policymakers, professional services firms, and the Ministry of Finance for a data-driven discussion on Ghana’s macroeconomic trajectory and its implications for business planning and investment decisions in 2026.

 

Key Speakers and Insights

The Forum featured a keynote economic presentation by Mr. Richard Ansong, Partner at PwC Ghana, who provided a detailed outlook on Ghana’s economic performance and prospects. The presentation highlighted:

  • GDP growth outperforming earlier projections
  • Significant moderation in inflation, with expectations of single-digit inflation in 2026, subject to continued fiscal discipline
  • Improved foreign exchange reserves and debt sustainability
  • The importance of maintaining policy consistency and institutional discipline to sustain recent gains

A high-level panel discussion followed, with contributions from Dr. Banahene Thompson of the Dr. Banahene Thompson, and a private-sector stakeholder representative, by Mr Mark Appiah of GE. Discussions focused on fiscal consolidation, revenue mobilisation, tax compliance, energy costs, and the impact of global geopolitical developments on Ghana’s economy.

 

CEO Remarks: U.S. Companies Ready to Support Ghana’s AI Agenda

In her opening remarks, Doris Kafui Afanyedey, Chief Executive Officer of American Chamber of Commerce Ghana, described the Forum as a timely engagement at a critical inflection point for Ghana’s economy as the country transitions into 2026.

She emphasized that while macroeconomic stabilization is underway, business leaders require credible, data-driven insights that translate headline indicators into practical implications for investment, risk management, and growth planning. The Forum, she noted, was intentionally designed to go beyond forecasts, focusing on candid discussion of risks, bankable opportunities, and the policy reforms needed to support sustainable and inclusive growth.

Doris reaffirmed AmCham Ghana’s role as a trusted convener of high-level public-private dialogue, bringing together policymakers, analysts, and businesses to move from uncertainty to insight and from dialogue to action, while encouraging active participation from members throughout the day.

She encouraged government institutions to leverage the in-country presence of U.S. firms, including Google, Oracle, IBM, Microsoft etc stressing that these AmCham members offer immediate access to trusted global expertise on AI, aligned with Ghana’s development priorities.

A Platform for Candid Dialogue

True to its design, the Forum prioritised interactive engagement, allowing participants to raise practical concerns around tax policy, compliance costs, power reliability, data governance, and geopolitical risks. The robust Q&A session reinforced the need for continued dialogue between the private sector and policymakers to ensure reforms translate into improved competitiveness and investor confidence.

Looking Ahead

As AmCham Ghana’s first programme of 2026, the Economic Insight Forum set a strong tone for the year, reaffirming its role as a bridge between U.S. businesses and Ghanaian policymakers.

Insights from the Forum will inform AmCham Ghana’s 2026 advocacy and engagement agenda, as the Chamber continues to support policies that promote stability, innovation, and sustainable growth.