Ghana and China have agreed to a zero percent tariff on 100% of exports from Ghana, a move expected to dramatically enhance trade, boost job creation, and support local entrepreneurship.
The announcement was made via Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s ‘X’ and facebook pages after a high-level bilateral talks between him and China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the ongoing China-Africa Summit in Changsha.
“This is a game-changer for Ghanaian businesses and entrepreneurs,” Ablakwa stated.
He added that “the 0% tariff on all Ghanaian goods entering the Chinese market will bolster trade, create jobs, and produce more Ghanaian entrepreneurs.”
China remains Ghana’s largest trading partner, with trade volumes exceeding US$11 billion in the past year alone. The new tariff-free access is set to deepen this relationship even further, as Ghanaian exports will now become more competitive in the world’s second-largest economy.
Beyond trade, the ministers also explored new industrial partnerships aligned with national transformation. Key among these is a proposed integrated aluminium industry leveraging Ghana’s bauxite resources to be supported by modern rail infrastructure.
Ablakwa also revealed plans to collaborate on an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Ghana, rooted in the country’s strategic lithium deposits. “We are laying the groundwork for Ghana to become a regional hub in electric mobility,” he said.
Both countries are set to formalize these initiatives through a Special Economic Partnership Agreement, which will be signed in the coming months to solidify what both sides have described as a “mutually beneficial partnership.””
The new trade agreement and industrial cooperation reflect a broader push by both nations to redefine and expand their strategic ties amid evolving global economic dynamics, enhancing 65 years of national cooperation.