Ghana has secured a major trade breakthrough with China following high-level discussions between Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and China’s Foreign Minister, His Excellency Wang Yi.
Speaking after the bilateral talks held on the sidelines of the ongoing China-Africa Summit in Changsha, Minister Ablakwa revealed that China has agreed to offer a 0% tariff on all exports from Ghana. The landmark deal, he said, covers 100% of goods from Ghana and other African countries.
“This development is expected to significantly boost Ghana’s exports, spur job creation, and provide a strong stimulus for the growth of indigenous entrepreneurs,” Ablakwa said.
China remains Ghana’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade volume exceeding US$11 billion in 2024. The tariff waiver is poised to deepen that economic relationship further, providing new opportunities for Ghanaian businesses to access one of the world’s largest markets.
The two ministers also held talks on new industrial projects aligned with President John Dramani Mahama’s economic transformation agenda. Among the key projects discussed was the establishment of an integrated aluminium industry, which will leverage Ghana’s bauxite resources and be supported by the development of modern rail infrastructure.
Another major highlight of the bilateral engagement was a joint commitment to explore the establishment of an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Ghana. This initiative will tap into Ghana’s strategic lithium reserves, positioning the country as a key player in Africa’s emerging green mobility sector.
To formalize these engagements and further deepen cooperation, Ghana and China are preparing to sign a special Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in the coming months.
Minister Ablakwa underscored Ghana’s commitment to using diplomacy as a tool for economic transformation. “President Mahama’s administration is firmly committed to leveraging diplomacy for the transformation of our dear country,” he stated.
Reflecting on the historic relationship between the two nations, he added, “Kwame Nkrumah and Chairman Mao would be proud of what Ghana-China relations have achieved, 65 years after they laid the foundation.”
The developments mark a new chapter in Ghana-China relations, with trade, industrialization, and strategic investments forming the pillars of a renewed and mutually beneficial partnership.
