President John Dramani Mahama has renewed calls for the immediate implementation of a Pan-African payment and settlement system, arguing that Africa cannot achieve meaningful economic integration while relying on third-party currencies for intra-continental trade.

Speaking at the “Accra Reset’s Addis Reckoning” forum on the sidelines of the 39th Assembly of the African Union on Sunday, February 15, Mr. Mahama emphasised that currency conversion requirements remain a structural barrier to African trade.

Citing concerns raised by Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the President questioned why a small business in Accra must convert local currency into a third-party currency before paying a counterpart in Kenya.

“The Pan-African payment and settlement system is a thing whose time has come — and with urgency. I should be able to ship my goods to Kenya and get paid in cedis rather than a foreign currency,” he stated.

The President linked payment reform to the broader Accra Reset agenda, which seeks to dismantle structural dependencies embedded in Africa’s financial architecture.

Beyond payment systems, he pointed to improving transport and logistics infrastructure as evidence that continental integration is already gaining momentum.

He praised ASKY Airlines for strengthening West African connectivity and highlighted the extensive African network of Ethiopian Airlines. He also referenced emerging maritime services along the West Coast, including reefer vessels redistributing cargo between Dakar and Douala, as well as a proposed ferry system linking Accra, Lagos, and Monrovia.

“Once supply and demand are in place, the logistics will follow,” he observed.

President Mahama maintained that Africa’s development would produce shared global benefits, echoing remarks from international participants that African prosperity strengthens global prosperity.

Yet, he repeatedly returned to the issue of execution.

“We take time. And we behave like time is waiting for us,” he said, urging African leaders to translate policy frameworks into measurable action.

“As we said, this is the Addis reckoning. From Addis, we must stop talking and start implementing.”