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June 14, 2026
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ECOWAS unites on minerals, industrialisation to power AfCFTA
Money
Policy
Opportunity
Growth
Key Points
- Ghana is spearheading an ECOWAS initiative advocating for a "mine together, process together" strategy to add value to West Africa's mineral resources.
- The campaign aims to foster regional industrialization, increase inter-continental trade, and combat the current practice of exporting raw minerals.
- Ghana's Trade Minister, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, stressed the need for factories, integrated standards, critical infrastructure, and digitalized border posts to accelerate AfCFTA implementation.
- Nigeria's Minister, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, echoed calls for a united front to address raw material exports, emphasizing collaborative solutions for energy and infrastructure challenges.
- ECOWAS pledged to shift from policy documents to actionable implementation tools, with a focus on joint regional development and immediate action following the Accra meeting.
Why This Matters
This initiative is profoundly significant for Ghana as it positions the nation at the forefront of West African industrialization and value addition, leveraging its mineral wealth and role as host of the AfCFTA Secretariat. It promises substantial economic benefits through job creation, increased regional trade, and a move away from commodity dependence, fostering sustainable growth across the continent.
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