Ghana steps up efforts to eliminate trade barriers with new NTMs data collection initiative

Ghana has taken a major step to enhance transparency and competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by launching a Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) Data Collection and Capacity-Building programme.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry in partnership with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), was introduced at an inception meeting on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the African Trade House in Accra. Representatives of regulatory authorities met to deliberate on the programme, which aims to streamline trade governance and reduce bottlenecks.

Under the plan, Ghana will collect, classify, and publish all trade-related regulations from ministries and regulatory bodies. The measures will be integrated into the SMARTAfCFTA Portal and UNCTAD TRAINS Online to provide easy access for businesses. Officials say this will minimise non-tariff barriers (NTBs), lower trade costs, and create a more predictable environment for cross-border trade.

Opening the session, the Ministry of Trade stressed that the project would improve transparency, sharpen Ghana’s competitiveness, and equip the private sector to better navigate complex regulations. AfCFTA Secretariat and UNCTAD representatives also outlined the technical steps for data collection, validation, and classification, emphasising the central role of NTMs in driving the success of AfCFTA.

Facilitating the discussions, Ms. Kuena Molapo, Principal Officer on Non-Tariff Barriers at the AfCFTA Secretariat, announced a follow-up capacity-building workshop scheduled for September 18–19, 2025. The event will enable regulatory institutions to present applicable trade laws directly to the private sector while introducing them to the AfCFTA’s online reporting platform, designed to capture and resolve trade-related challenges.

In a closing statement delivered on behalf of the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. Benjamin Assiam, Acting Coordinator of the AfCFTA National Coordination Office, praised participants for their commitment. He underscored the need for continuous collaboration to build a credible NTMs database that will improve transparency and strengthen the private sector’s role in continental trade.

By embarking on this exercise, Ghana is reinforcing its reputation as a strong advocate for transparent trade governance and is advancing its goal of ensuring that the AfCFTA achieves its promise of a barrier-free and competitive African market.