Gauteng's David Makhura sees Ghana as an important trade partner

South Africa's Gauteng Province is positioning itself to strengthen trade and investment ties with Ghana in an effort to enhance regional and economic competitiveness with rapidly growing economies in Africa. The Honourable Premier of Gauteng Province, David Makhura, recently attended the Doing Business in Gauteng event in Accra, Ghana, where he emphasized the significance of the partnership between the two nations. Makhura highlighted the long-standing historical ties between Ghana and South Africa, rooted back to the days of the struggle for independence. However, the focus now lies on economic diplomacy and Africa's economic integration, with a strategic emphasis on different regions of the continent. Makhura pointed out that while the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region is already highly integrated, trade with West Africa remains limited. He noted that only 9.4% of South Africa's exports are designated for West Africa, compared to 60% for the SADC region. Recognizing the critical role of East Africa in Africa's future, Makhura outlined that Ghana offers distinct advantages as the most stable democracy in West Africa. He praised Ghana's stable business environment, where changes in government do not disrupt ease of doing business but often enhance it. Makhura emphasized the need for a greater presence of South African businesses in Ghana, not just for the local market but as a gateway to West Africa. To solidify this partnership, several cooperation agreements have been signed between trade and investment agencies, as well as sub-national regions like Houting and Greater Accra. Both regions aim to strengthen governance and business ties, facilitating opportunities for mutual growth and development. The Premier highlighted the value of business delegations exchanging visits between the two countries, with South Africa's strong manufacturing capabilities and financial services sector complementing Ghana's skilled workforce and ethical business practices. Makhura stressed the importance of conducting business ethically across the continent and advocated for eliminating corrupt practices in both politics and business. Looking towards the big picture, Makhura articulated his vision of leveraging the partnership with Ghana and other key African economies to address local challenges such as unemployment, inequality, and poverty. He underscored the province's commitment to contributing to infrastructure development and leveraging its industrial capacity to support manufacturing capabilities in different African regions. Makhura emphasized the Pan-African perspective of Gauteng Province, aligning with the vision of African unity and inclusive growth championed by the continent's forebears. By actively participating in Africa's economic integration and development, Gauteng aims to play a pivotal role in shaping a prosperous and connected African continent, ready for the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution.