Ofosu-Adjare stressed that industrialisation will remain unattainable if African producers continue to face multiple and duplicative standards regimes across the continent. She noted that the lack of harmonised standards raises costs, delays trade, and weakens competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Beyond standards, the trade minister highlighted raw material shortages, high financing costs, land availability, and limited access to incentives as major obstacles facing industries across the continent. Importantly, she advocated for regional value chains, urging African countries to stop competing in isolation and coordinate production across borders to maximise shared strengths under AfCFTA. She noted that AfCFTA cannot deliver its promise without industrialisation and called for a move from sector-based thinking to regional value chain development, guided by market demand, infrastructure readiness, and proper sequencing.