The Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has been announced as the chairperson for the 9th Ghana International Trade and Finance Conference (GITFiC 2025), set to take place from November 27 to 29, 2025, in Accra. The event, which continues to grow in significance on the continent’s trade and finance calendar, is being organized by the Ghana International Trade and Finance Conference (GITFiC) in partnership with the National Technical Working Committee of the GITFiC Agenda 2031.
This year’s conference will feature two major components — the second edition of the Global Debt Initiative and the inaugural GITFiC-AfCFTA Tertiary Students’ Congress, both aimed at deepening Africa’s pursuit of economic transformation through dialogue, research, and innovation. Themed “Spurring GITFiC’s Global Debt Initiative; Consolidating Member States’ Gains for Synergistic Impact,” the three-day gathering will bring together a high-level mix of Ministers, Central Bank Governors, international development experts, global economists, business leaders, academia, and civil society to discuss Africa’s debt management strategies and regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to organizers, the Speaker’s leadership role underscores Ghana’s commitment to driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth through African-led policy solutions. His participation, they noted, “reflects the importance of parliamentary engagement in shaping economic policies that promote transparency, accountability, and long-term development across the continent.”
A major highlight of this year’s event will be the launch of the AfCFTA Tertiary Students’ Congress, a platform designed to equip young Africans with the tools and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to the implementation of the AfCFTA. The initiative builds upon GITFiC’s broader AfCFTA Students Clubs and Curriculum project, which is already being rolled out across select African institutions. By incorporating youth into the policy dialogue, the program seeks to nurture the next generation of thinkers, entrepreneurs, and leaders who will shape Africa’s economic destiny.
Since its inception, GITFiC has established itself as one of Africa’s most influential platforms for policy dialogue on trade, finance, and development. Each year, the conference brings together key stakeholders to propose actionable solutions for regional economic challenges. The 2025 edition is expected to further strengthen collaborations between governments, financial institutions, and academia — paving the way for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient African economy.