H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and current Board Chair of TradeMark Africa, held a high-level meeting with H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, on March 19, 2025 to discuss key issues around intra-Africa trade and the broader agenda of African transformation.
The two leaders engaged in a forward-looking dialogue focused on harnessing the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost economic integration, enhance regional value chains, and drive inclusive growth across the continent.
H.E. Hailemariam emphasized the urgent need for strengthened political will and institutional collaboration to unlock the full benefits of intra-Africa trade. He highlighted the importance of infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and investment in human capital as key enablers of transformation.
H.E. Roman Tesfaye, the former first Lady of Ethiopia and CEO of Hailemariam & Roman Foundation (HRF), highlighted the role of women’s economic empowerment and social development in achieving lasting transformation. She stressed the importance of inclusive trade policies and gender-responsive strategies to ensure that no one is left behind in Africa’s development journey.
President John Dramani Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to championing the AfCFTA and underscored the role of visionary leadership in achieving Africa’s economic renaissance. He also welcomed greater collaboration between public institutions and foundations like HRF in advancing transformative development.
The meeting also touched on aligning national and regional development efforts with Agenda 2063, and leveraging trade as a tool for job creation, youth empowerment, and sustainable development.
Both leaders agreed on the need for enhanced cooperation across African nations to drive shared prosperity and ensure Africa takes full ownership of its development trajectory.