China-Ghana trade hits record $14.1bn, zero tariffs coming for cocoa but Pratt warns: Africa must own its economic strategy.
“China-Ghana bilateral trade reached a record high of $14.1 billion in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 19.3 per cent. Chinese investments in mining, energy, aviation, steel, ceramics and cement have created jobs and boosted economic growth in Ghana,” Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Cong Song, said. Speaking in Accra, he said China was ready to support Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy and Reset Ghana agenda including the development of the Volta Economic Corridor, expansion of agricultural processing and improvement in technology transfer. He also noted that the zero-tariff policy by China to 53 African countries to come into effect on May 1, 2026, would enhance Ghana’s export prospects, especially for cocoa that hitherto faced tariffs ranging between 8 and 22 per cent. He said China’s 15th Five-Year Plan will focus on high-quality development and industrial modernization, and pointed out the strengthening of people-to-people ties, with over 10,000 Ghanaian students learning Chinese language and culture. He reiterated that China does not condone illegal activities by its nationals overseas. Kwesi Pratt Jnr of Socialist Movement Ghana meanwhile called on African countries to develop their own development strategies. There is a need to build up Africa’s manufacturing base to underpin industrialisation, Michael Kalley said.
