On 17–18 February 2026, Africa Trade Academy delivered a two-day intensive training for the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) on implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
As Ghana hosts the AfCFTA Secretariat, institutional readiness is not optional but requires a strategic positioning. This training focused on equipping GFZA staff with the technical knowledge and practical tools needed to effectively support investors operating within the Free Zones regime.
Over two days, participants engaged deeply with:
• The architecture and objectives of the AfCFTA Agreement
• The Protocol on Trade in Goods
• Rules of Origin and cumulation principles
• Certification procedures and compliance requirements
• Practical use of operational tools such as the Africa Trade Observatory and the AfCFTA e-Tariff Platform through case studies.
Through case studies, group work, and scenario-based exercises, participants moved beyond theory to practical application, particularly in supporting Special Economic Zones (SEZ) investors to access preferential market opportunities across Africa.
As AfCFTA implementation accelerates across the continent, continuous capacity development will be essential to ensure Ghana’s Special Economic Zones remain competitive, compliant, and fully positioned to benefit from the expanding continental market.
Africa Trade Academy remains committed to supporting both public and private sector institutions in building the expertise required to translate AfCFTA from agreement to impact.
