Hichilema and Mahama Urge Private Sector Action to Boost Zambia–Ghana Trade
Zambia and Ghana have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic cooperation through trade, investment and innovation following the Zambia–Ghana Business Forum held on the margins of a State Visit between the two countries.
The forum was co-chaired by President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana and brought together government leaders and private sector players to promote bilateral trade, investment partnerships and stronger intra-African commerce in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In his address, President Hichilema said the State Visit marked a renewal of the long-standing diplomatic and historical relations between Zambia and Ghana, adding that political goodwill must now translate into tangible economic outcomes. He stressed the need for increased private sector collaboration, joint ventures and cross-border investments to deliver jobs, growth and shared prosperity.
The President underscored the urgency of accelerating economic growth to meet the needs of Africa’s youthful population, warning that failure to create sufficient opportunities for young people would undermine long-term stability. He urged businesses in both countries to scale up investment, innovation and trade to absorb young people into productive employment.
President Hichilema also emphasised the importance of value addition, calling on African countries to move away from exporting raw materials. He said Zambia and Ghana should prioritise local processing of minerals, agricultural produce and other natural resources to boost export earnings, create quality jobs and strengthen industrial capacity.
On education and human capital development, the President highlighted Zambia’s commitment to free education, noting that over 2.3 million children are currently enrolled in school and that the country has recorded its highest examination pass rate since Independence. He said education must be closely linked to technology, science and innovation to support industrial growth.
He further highlighted the role of digital transformation and artificial intelligence in expanding business opportunities, noting that digital platforms can remove barriers of distance, improve efficiency and support demand-driven production across sectors such as agriculture, trade and finance.
President Hichilema also outlined Zambia’s energy sector reforms, including open access to the electricity grid, net metering and increased private sector participation. He said the reforms are aimed at achieving 10,000 megawatts of installed capacity by 2036 and noted that Ghana could draw lessons from Zambia’s experience in strengthening energy resilience.
On agriculture, the President described the sector as central to food security and industrial development, citing progress in seed development, irrigation expansion and integrated farming systems. He encouraged the use of technology and digital tools to improve productivity and market access.
He concluded by calling for stronger intra-African trade, urging Zambia and Ghana to share import lists, leverage digital markets and strengthen regional blocs such as SADC and ECOWAS. He also encouraged continued public–private dialogue, reaffirming government’s role as a facilitator while the private sector drives investment and job creation.
President Hichilema said the Zambia–Ghana Business Forum represents a practical step towards building enduring economic partnerships and advancing African-led economic transformation.
