The Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory (ACCPA) and CEIBS Africa have hosted the High-Level Ghana–China Zero-Tariff Forum 2026, bringing together key institutions to examine how Ghana can translate improved access to the Chinese market into measurable export growth.
Held at the Africa Trade House in Accra, with support from Prudential Bank Ghana Limited, the Forum attracted about 200 participants from government, businesses, financial institutions, diplomatic missions, development partner organisations, academia, trade-support agencies and the media.
The Forum was organised under the theme, “From Market Access to Market Success.” It built on the Ghana–China Zero-Tariff Policy Roundtable previously convened by ACCPA and CEIBS Africa, which identified barriers affecting Ghana’s ability to take advantage of China’s zero-tariff policy.
In his keynote address, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Cong Song, highlighted the potential of the policy to expand African exports, attract manufacturing investment and support greater local processing.
He disclosed that China’s imports from Africa increased by 23.3 per cent year-on-year by the end of September 2026, while exports to Africa rose by 23.9 per cent. China–Africa trade had reached US$348 billion in 2025.
The panel discussion examined Ghana’s export readiness, standards and certification, trade finance, foreign-exchange risks, logistics, value addition and connections with credible Chinese buyers.
Panellists included Dr Eric Nii Dodoo-Amoo, Head of the China Desk at the Ministry of Finance; Dr Jabir Mohammed, Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School; Dr Sylvia Sinkari, Sino-African expert; and Ebow Quayson, Acting Managing Director of Prudential Bank Ghana Limited.
A major proposal emerging from the discussion was the establishment of a Ghana–China Market Access Council. The proposed Council would serve as a central coordinating body and one-stop platform through which exporters could access support relating to standards, certification, financing, logistics, market intelligence and buyer connections.
Participants emphasised that removing tariffs alone would not guarantee export success. Ghanaian businesses must be able to produce competitively, maintain consistent supply, satisfy Chinese market requirements and deliver products reliably.
IMAGE: A cross-section of participants at the High-Level Ghana–China Zero-Tariff Forum 2026, hosted in Accra by ACCPA and CEIBS Africa.
The discussions also underscored the need for Ghana to move beyond raw commodity exports by investing in processing, packaging and manufacturing. This would enable the country to retain more value domestically, create jobs and strengthen local industries.
ACCPA and CEIBS Africa reaffirmed their commitment to working with public and private institutions to advance the recommendations from the Forum and support Ghanaian enterprises seeking to enter the Chinese market.
Source: www.sinoafricainsider.com