Dr. Daniel McKorley, Chairman of McDan Group of Companies, has emphasized the need for Africa and the Caribbean to unite and leverage their shared history, culture, and resilience to drive economic growth. Speaking at a masterclass during the Africa-Caribbean Business Trade Show, Dr. McKorley highlighted the potential for collaboration and mutual benefit between the two regions.
Key Points
– Shared Heritage: Africa and the Caribbean are connected by blood, history, culture, and resilience, which can be leveraged as a competitive advantage.
– Economic Opportunities: The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the recognition of the Caribbean as a sixth region present opportunities for trade and investment.
– Infrastructure Challenges: Dr. McKorley cited the lack of direct flights and inefficient logistics as major challenges hindering trade between Africa and the Caribbean.
Call to Action
– Structured Businesses: Dr. McKorley emphasized the need for businesses to be structured, scalable, and export-ready to take advantage of opportunities.
– Strategic Partnerships: He encouraged entrepreneurs to form strategic partnerships, vet potential partners, and protect their brands.
– *Mental Shift*: Dr. McKorley called for a mental shift, urging Africans and Caribbeans to believe in themselves and their abilities.
New Initiative
– Direct Shipping: Dr. McKorley announced plans to dedicate a vessel to connect Africa and the Caribbean, facilitating trade and reducing logistics challenges.
Dr. McKorley concluded by emphasizing the importance of unity, self-reliance, and strategic planning. He encouraged entrepreneurs to leverage the AfCFTA and build partnerships to drive economic growth and success.
In an exclusive interview with Newsghanaonline, Opri Marie-Yvonne Zahui, General Manager of AfCTA Trading Company Ghana, emphasized the vast potential for Ghanaian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to expand into the Caribbean market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
AfCTA Trading Company Ghana, a strategic partnership between the McDan Group and the AfCFTA Secretariat under the African
Union, is positioning itself as a key facilitator for intra-African and diaspora trade. Zahui highlighted that SMEs, which account for 80% of trade volume on the continent, are central to their mission.
Caribbean as the “6th African Region
Zahui pointed to a significant development from last year’s Afreximbank conference, where the Caribbean was declared the “6th African state” in trade relations.
The Caribbean is now part of our work because anything connected to Africa is our focus,”* she said. *”This is a huge opportunity for Ghanaian businesses. Many people look to import into Ghana, but few are exploring how to enter foreign markets. The Caribbean has high purchasing power—they buy expensive goods from the U.S. Imagine if Ghanaian SMEs could access that market!”
Call to Action for Ghanaian Businesses
Zahui urged local businesses to proactively
seek partnerships and connections rather than waiting for government policies to be perfected.
“The private sector cannot wait for governments to finalize every framework before trading,” she asserted. “People are eager to trade now—whether it’s one box, two boxes, or a full container. We can start small and scale up. The market is ready; businesses just need to take the step.”
She encouraged SMEs to leverage AfCTA Trading Company Ghana’s platform to build networks and explore export opportunities, particularly in the Caribbean, where demand for African products is growing.
Government vs. Private Sector Pace
While acknowledging that governments are still finalizing trade policies, Zahui stressed that businesses should not delay.
“The will to trade is there. People are ready. The private sector must lead the way—even if it starts small,” she said. “Once we begin, the rest will follow.”
With AfCFTA’s vision of boosting intra-African trade, initiatives like AfCTA Trading Company Ghana aim to bridge gaps and unlock new markets for local entrepreneurs. The message is clear: Ghanaian SMEs must act now to capitalize on this historic trade expansion.
— Reported by KingsleyAsiedu, Newsghanaonline
