Algiers, Algeria, September 2026
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Operations of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), Mr. Lateef Apau Wiredu, participated in the International Conference on Free Zones held in Algiers, Algeria, on 28 September 2026.
Organized by the World Trade Centre Algiers under the high patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion of Algeria, the conference brought together public institutions, investors, international experts and representatives of leading Free Zone models to discuss the role of Free Zones in attracting investment, promoting exports, enhancing industrial competitiveness and strengthening regional and global value chains.
Mr. Wiredu participated in two panel discussions, where he shared Ghana’s experience and perspectives from three decades of implementing the Free Zones programme.
Speaking on the first panel, themed “International Benchmarks and Success Stories of Free Zones,” he highlighted the distinctive features of Ghana’s Free Zones regime, particularly the Single Factory Scheme, which enables businesses to benefit from the Free Zones programme outside designated industrial enclaves. He explained that the scheme has enabled the Authority to facilitate investment across different parts of Ghana, extending the benefits of the Free Zones programme beyond traditional industrial zones and contributing to job creation and economic activity in various communities.
He also participated in discussions on “Free Zones as Drivers of African Integration (AfCFTA Perspective” where he noted that the traditional Free Zone model, which relied largely on tax incentives and low-cost labour, needs to evolve in the era of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), for Free Zones remain relevant to Africa’s economic integration agenda.
He emphasized the importance of regulatory predictability, infrastructure, trade facilitation and value-chain development, noting that Free Zones can provide practical platforms for implementing AfCFTA rules of origin, facilitating trade and strengthening regional value chains. He further noted that the future relevance of Free Zones will increasingly depend on their ability to integrate effectively into regional markets and contribute to Africa’s broader industrialization and trade objectives.
The GFZA’s participation in the conference reflects its commitment to international cooperation, South-South knowledge exchange and the continuous improvement of Ghana’s Free Zones model to support investment, export development, job creation and regional economic integration.
Mr. Wiredu was accompanied by Mr. Kingsford Kwaku Jagre, Head of AfCFTA and Strategic Partnerships.