In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that China has agreed to offer a 0% tariff on all Ghanaian exports. The announcement was made via his official X (formerly Twitter) page on Wednesday, June 11, following high-level bilateral talks held in Changsha, China, on the sidelines of the ongoing China-Africa Summit.
In his statement, Minister Okudzeto Ablakwa described the meeting as both “productive and impactful,” adding that he held discussions with China’s distinguished Foreign Minister, His Excellency Wang Yi.
“China has offered 0% tariff on all exports from Ghana,” Ablakwa stated. He emphasized the significance of the deal, noting that “China is Ghana’s number one trading partner with last year’s trade volume exceeding US$11 billion.”
The new arrangement, which offers duty-free access for 100% of Ghana’s goods alongside other African countries, is expected to bolster trade relations between the two nations, stimulate job creation, and encourage the growth of Ghanaian entrepreneurship. “This 0% tariff on 100% of goods from Ghana and other African countries will bolster trade, create jobs, and produce more Ghanaian entrepreneurs,” Ablakwa remarked.
Beyond trade, the talks also touched on Ghana’s ambitious industrialization agenda under President John Mahama’s administration. Minister Ablakwa revealed that the two countries are exploring joint projects to fully exploit Ghana’s bauxite resources in order to build an integrated aluminum industry, supported by modern rail infrastructure. This aligns with President Mahama’s broader vision for Ghana’s industrial and economic transformation.
Another key highlight of the discussions was a proposal to establish an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in Ghana, leveraging the country’s growing lithium deposits. “Our bilateral engagement… further agreed to work towards establishing an electric car manufacturing plant in Ghana anchored on Ghana’s strategic lithium deposits,” he disclosed.
To formalize and strengthen these agreements, Ghana and China are also preparing to sign a special Economic Partnership Agreement in the near future.
In concluding his announcement, Minister Ablakwa reaffirmed the government’s dedication to using diplomacy as a tool for national development. “President Mahama’s administration is firmly committed to leveraging diplomacy for the transformation of our dear country,” he stated.
