Local Businesses Urged to Partner African Firms Amid Tariff Uncertainty

Businesses in Singapore and Africa should jump at opportunities to collaborate as like-minded partners in the face of uncertainty from tariffs by the Trump administration, said Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama.

- Annabelle Liang

A closer partnership between the Republic and the African continent "is both urgent and full of promise", he said in a speech at the 8th Africa Singapore Business Forum on Aug 26.

He added: "Tariffs and retaliatory tariffs are flying fast and furious. The effects on the global economy are still yet to be well understood, but in these unpredictable times, we must forge new alliances. We must explore new markets and new investment spaces."

Mr Mahama said Ghana can offer businesses political stability and a rules-based environment to operate in.

He added that the western African country has seen a growing base of Singapore investors. It has 69 registered Singapore companies with cumulative investments of more than US$2 billion (S$2.6 billion).

Mr Mahama, who was sworn in for his second term as Ghana's president earlier in 2025, is on an inaugural state visit to Singapore, which will conclude on Aug 28.