Mahama on trade wars: Africa must seize opportunities in geopolitical shifts

African countries have been challenged by President John Mahama to realign themselves in order to fully benefit from the changing dynamics of international trade and geopolitics.
The President emphasised the need for Africa to shift from a primarily commercial mindset to a more industrial and entrepreneurial approach during his remarks at the 2025 edition of the Kwahu Business Forum on Friday, April 19.

From the Cold War to the era of globalisation, he claimed, the continent has continuously missed out on the economic advantages of significant world shifts. However, it now has a new chance to profit from current geopolitical reconfigurations, such as the escalating trade battles between major economic powers.
“As a nation, we must seize the new opportunities that are presented by the changing world.”

Africa must take advantage of the “global shifts in terms of production” brought about by the current trade conflicts between economic superpowers, he said, in order to abandon its historically passive economic role.

With a dramatic shift towards manufacturing, industrialisation, digital entrepreneurship, and agribusiness, the President stated, “Africa must shake itself out of the mindset that we are only traders.”
“We can be anything we want to be.”

The President claims that while political and economic difficulties make the world more uncertain, the conditions are favourable for long-marginalized countries like Africa to make their voices heard.

The Kwahu Business Forum is one of several gatherings that bring together investors, entrepreneurs, and politicians to talk about creative approaches to private sector empowerment and economic growth in Ghana and throughout the continent.