Ghana and Columbia Strike Direct
Trade-Shipping Deal To Open New Atlantic Trade Corridor


Ghana and Colombia have signed a historic agreement to establish direct maritime connectivity between Tema Port and the Port of Cartagena. The deal aims to strengthen trade relations between Africa and Latin America, transforming the Atlantic Ocean corridor from its dark history as a slave route into a pathway for economic opportunity, job creation, and export growth.

Ghana and Colombia have signed a historic agreement to establish a direct trade and shipping route between the Port of Tema and the Port of Cartagena, aiming to slash transit times and costs.

. Finalized in Bogotá, Columbia, this deal strengthens economic ties, enhances West Africa-Latin America trade, and promotes cooperation in port infrastructure.

Key details of the deal include:

• Logistics Breakthrough: Direct maritime links reduce dependence on indirect routes through Europe and North America.
• Economic Impact: The partnership seeks to expand trade beyond current limited levels ($3.2 million annually) and broaden the commercial footprint, supporting Ghana’s role as a regional hub.
• Scope: Cooperation includes modernization of port operations, customs systems, and infrastructure.
• Background: The agreement follows recent efforts to improve Latin America-Africa trade, with Colombia focusing on expanding into West African markets.

🗣️ Ghana and the South American country, Columbia, have signed an trading agreement to establish direct maritime connectivity between Tema Port and and the Port of Cartegena, strengthening trade relationships between Africa and Latin America.
🗣️ The agreement signed on Monday, March 23, 2006 and announced by Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, followed a successful negotiation aimed at strengthening the economic ties between the two countries.
🗣️ Mr. Ablakwa said the new shipping route will reduce transit time and create new business opportunities for importers and exporters in both countries.
🗣️ Before this agreement, the Columbian delegation led by the Vice President, Francia Elana Márquez, traveled to Ghana and toured the Tema Port on December 12, 2025, to observe operations within the facility.
🗣️ Hon. Márquez that noted the proposed geographical route was feasible and will enhance imports and exports between Africa and Latin America.
🗣️ Exports to both countries have declined with recent years, with Ghana recording an annual decrease of 17.9% falling from $2.34 million in 2019 to $873,000 in 2024, while Columbia saw an annual decline of 7.66% falling from $3.57 million in 2019 to $2.4 million in 2024.
This agreement aims to boost trade and strengthen exports and imports ties between the two countries.
🗣️ Currently trade sits at $3.2 million, but with new Atlantic corridor, both countries are gearing up to scale it fast. The move signals a major push to strengthen economic ties between Africa and Latin America.
🗣️ According to Hon. Ablakwa, “it is truly inspiring to see how the Atlantic Ocean corridor is linking our two countries-which once symbolized the horrors and holocaust of slavery, and served as a mass grave for enslaved Africans; is now being deliberately transformed into a pathway for opportunities, job creation, and economic empowerment.”
🗣️ This historic agreement reflects both governments’ broader efforts to establish new trading routes and diversify trading partnerships, as Africa and Latin America seeks to strengthen Global South cooperation in a shifting global trade landscape.
🗣️ Stay tune as this Africa-Latin America connection gathers momentum.

https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/ghana-colombia-agree-direct-temacartagena-shipping-route-to-boost-trade/4s5eln9

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Ghana, Colombia strike direct shipping deal to open new Atlantic trade corridor

Ghana and Colombia sign a deal to launch a direct maritime route between Tema and Cartagena, aiming to cut costs, reduce transit time and expand Africa–Latin America trade