The Ghana International Trade and Finance Conference (GITFiC) has officially opened admissions for its AfCFTA Professional Certificate Programme, a new executive-level course aimed at strengthening practical expertise in Africa’s continental trade regime. Announced in Accra on February 26, the programme is awarded by the University of Ghana and is being rolled out under the GITFiC-AfCFTA Education Bureau, with oversight from the National Technical Working Committee.
Designed for professionals across both the public and private sectors, the programme targets policymakers, entrepreneurs, business executives, legal practitioners and development specialists seeking hands-on knowledge of the African Continental Free Trade Area. According to GITFiC, the curriculum focuses on translating AfCFTA policy into practice, covering areas such as trade protocols, market access, rules of origin, customs procedures, trade finance and cross-border investment strategies. The initiative follows resolutions adopted at GITFiC’s ninth annual meeting in 2025, which called for broader professional and executive education to support Africa’s economic integration agenda.
The four-month programme will be delivered by a mix of academic faculty and experienced industry practitioners, including trade experts and selected AfCFTA chief negotiators from across the continent. Teaching methods will combine interactive lectures, case studies, policy dialogues and structured networking sessions. Each cohort will go through formal matriculation and graduation ceremonies, reflecting the programme’s emphasis on academic rigor and professional recognition.
GITFiC says the course is open to participants from across Africa and can be taken either in person at the University of Ghana’s Legon campus or virtually, allowing flexibility for working professionals. The certificate will run alongside the AfCFTA Tertiary Curriculum currently being implemented by partner universities in Africa. Entry pathways have been structured to accommodate candidates with pre-tertiary qualifications through to postgraduate certificates, with module content tailored to different academic and professional levels.
Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Professional Certificate from the University of Ghana. GITFiC notes that the programme is intended to help close the skills gap emerging as AfCFTA implementation accelerates, creating demand for specialists in trade, finance, logistics, regulation and investment. Prospective applicants are encouraged to apply before the deadline, with detailed admission information available through GITFiC’s official channels.