Head of Trade and Working Capital at Absa Bank Ghana, Emmanuel Mensah, has emphasised the urgent need for a coordinated financing strategy and robust transport infrastructure to unlock the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking at the Citi Business Forum on June 12, 2025, as part of the ongoing Citi Business Festival, Mr.
Mensah outlined key financial and logistical gaps that must be addressed if intra-African trade is to flourish. "For the growth of AfCFTA and for us to be able to trade among ourselves, we require a very robust transport network, which will require long-term financing," he stated.
He stressed that transport remains a critical enabler of economic growth, particularly for landlocked countries and under-connected regions of the continent. "Transport is very key, because if you produce goods and you cannot transport them, how do you get value out of the space?" he asked.
