Local Private Sector Awareness and Participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area Prior to Accession by the Government of Ghana - The Case of Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana

Abstract

Labelled as a game-changer, the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has intensified the momentum of Africa’s  regional integration process. Nevertheless, the success of the AfCFTA depends, to a large extent, on effective engagement of diverse  stakeholders, including small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) across the continent. This article explores the awareness and  participation in the processes leading to the country’s accession to the AfCFTA agreement of 200 SMEs in Ghana. The results of this study indicate that SMEs have little knowledge of the AfCFTA, largely due to poor consultation by the government of Ghana prior to the country’s accession to the agreement. The study recommends effective consultation and engagement of SMEs in the next phase, the implementation of the AfCFTA.