President John Mahama has called on African nations to shift from exporting raw materials to producing finished goods as a means of increasing global trade share and creating sustainable jobs.
Speaking at the 2025 Africa Prosperity Dialogues in Accra on February 1, Mahama stressed the need for value addition and local ownership of the continent's vast natural resources. "We must move beyond being exporters of raw materials to become producers of finished goods.
Whether it is cocoa in Ghana, oil in Nigeria, copper in Zambia, or diamonds in Botswana, we must process and add value to our natural resources," he stated.
President Mahama argued that this approach would not only boost Africa's trade presence but also generate employment opportunities, particularly for the youth.
