Ghana will host the 9th Ghana International Trade & Finance Conference (GITFiC) from October 29 to November 2, 2025, in Accra, bringing together heads of state, central bank governors, and international development experts to address debt sustainability and regional trade integration.
The conference, organized in partnership with the National Technical Working Committee of the GITFiC Agenda 2031, will feature two major components: the 2nd Global Debt Initiative advancing collective solutions for debt sustainability, and the maiden African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Tertiary Students’ Congress designed to engage Africa’s next generation in shaping trade and finance futures.
Operating under the theme “Spurring GITFiC’s Global Debt Initiative; Consolidating Member States’ Gains for Synergistic Impacts,” the event will convene ministers, central bank governors, international development experts, global economists, business leaders, academia, and civil society for discussions on debt, trade, and regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The Global Debt Initiative represents the conference’s continued focus on addressing debt challenges facing African nations and other developing countries.
The objective of the initiative is to develop collective solutions for debt sustainability through high-level dialogue between government officials, financial institutions, and international development partners.
The AfCFTA Tertiary Students’ Congress is a new addition to the conference program, providing a platform for university students across Africa to engage with trade and finance policy discussions.
It aims to build capacity among young Africans who will inherit and shape the continent’s economic future under the free trade area framework.
Conference organizers expect the gathering to deliver discussions on debt restructuring mechanisms, trade facilitation under AfCFTA, and regional integration strategies. The event will provide networking opportunities for participants while developing actionable outcomes to influence Africa’s financial and trade policy direction.
Registration for the conference is available through the official website at www.gitfic.com/register-now , with additional information accessible by calling 0303209055 or emailing info@gitfic.com
The four-day program will include plenary sessions, panel discussions, and specialized workshops addressing current challenges in African trade and finance.
The conference timing coincides with ongoing continental efforts to implement AfCFTA protocols and address debt sustainability challenges facing many African countries. Ghana’s hosting of the event positions the country as a regional hub for trade and finance policy discussions.
Previous GITFiC conferences have attracted international participation and generated policy recommendations that have influenced regional economic integration initiatives.
The 2025 edition builds on this track record while expanding focus areas to include student engagement and debt solution mechanisms.
Participants will examine trade financing innovations, digital payment systems, and cross-border investment frameworks that could accelerate AfCFTA implementation.
The conference agenda also addresses capacity building needs for trade facilitation and regional value chain development across African markets.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
