Mahama pledges to push for Caribbean inclusion in AfCFTA

President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to advocate for the inclusion of Caribbean countries in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) when he takes over as Chairperson of the African Union (AU).

He described the proposal as a strategic move to deepen economic relations between Africa and the Caribbean while leveraging the strong historical and cultural connections between the two regions.

President Mahama said extending the AfCFTA framework to Caribbean nations could open up new opportunities for trade, investment and broader economic collaboration.

He made the remarks during a joint press conference with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness as part of his state visit to Jamaica.

Addressing the prospects of stronger trade between Africa and the Caribbean, President Mahama acknowledged that increasing trade volumes would require deliberate efforts, infrastructure development and sustained investment rather than expecting immediate results.

He said improving logistics and trade infrastructure would be one approach, while expanding the continental trade framework to include Caribbean nations would provide another avenue for strengthening commercial ties.

President Mahama also explained that the AfCFTA is designed around harmonised standards, allowing businesses to trade more easily across participating markets once their products meet approved requirements.

He noted that common product standards are an important part of the agreement because they can reduce the need for businesses to obtain separate certifications when entering different markets.

According to him, once a product is approved by a country’s relevant standards authority and listed on the appropriate register, businesses can identify qualifying products and connect with potential producers or buyers across participating countries.

He said the system covers a wide range of products, including electrical cables, transformers, iron and steel products, processed foods and pharmaceutical goods.

President Mahama said integrating Caribbean countries into the framework would therefore provide another platform for businesses in Africa and the Caribbean to connect, trade and explore investment opportunities.