Ebenezer Asante, Senior Vice President of MTN Group, has urged for an end to what he termed the ‘tyranny of sovereignty' to facilitate smoother trade across Africa.
His remarks were made at the commencement of the 2024 African Prosperity Dialogue in Accra, Ghana, where industry players and government representatives gathered to discuss strategies for enhancing trade and economic growth on the continent.
During a panel discussion titled “Doing Business Differently – Adding Value to What we Produce,” Mr. Asante emphasized the importance of breaking down barriers to cross-border trade and encouraged governments to support initiatives that promote ease of trade.
“The tyranny of sovereignty must end to allow proper trade and ease of doing business across West Africa.
African countries must open their borders to each other to allow intercontinental trade,” stated Mr. Asante.
Highlighting the role of technology in driving productivity and growth, he emphasized the need for African nations to leverage technological advancements to overcome trade challenges and foster development.
Mr. Asante also addressed the impact of COVID-19 and geopolitical tensions on trade, stressing the importance of repositioning Africa to capitalize on emerging opportunities and mitigate disruptions.
In alignment with Mr. Asante's sentiments, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo affirmed Ghana's commitment to facilitating free movement and enhancing cross-border trade within the continent.
The African Prosperity Dialogues, themed “Delivering Prosperity in Africa: Produce Add Value. Trade,” aims to facilitate discussions among government and business leaders to address key challenges and unlock opportunities for Africa's economic growth and prosperity.