By Eugene Nyarko Jnr. | Accra
The Ghana International Trade and Finance Conference (GITFiC) has officially outdoored Professor Deodat E. Adenutsi as its new Director of Education (Africa), marking a significant step in advancing research-driven dialogue and policy-oriented education in trade and finance across the continent.
The announcement, made in Accra on February 16, 2026, underscores GITFiC’s renewed commitment to capacity building and academic excellence within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a flagship continental trade initiative the organisation has championed since 2019.
Professor Adenutsi brings more than 25 years of experience in academia, research and higher education leadership to the role. A development finance expert, he has taught economics and development finance extensively and managed multi-donor programmes across Africa. He has also delivered capacity-building programmes for governments, financial institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and civil society organisations.
He holds a PhD in Development Finance from the University of Stellenbosch and previously served as a Visiting Scholar at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, DC. Over the years, he has published widely in internationally indexed journals on digital finance, international economics and finance, corporate governance, financial development and macroeconomic policy. He is also recognised for mentoring young professionals and policymakers across the continent.
In his new role, Prof. Adenutsi will lead the development and implementation of the GITFiC-AfCFTA Educational Strategy under Agenda 2031, which encompasses the Global Debt Initiative and AfCFTA Implementation Support Initiatives. These include executive training programmes, policy research initiatives, academic partnerships and professional development modules.
He will oversee the rollout of the GITFiC-AfCFTA designed curriculum for Africa’s tertiary institutions, currently being implemented in selected universities across the continent. Additionally, he is expected to ensure academic rigour across all training platforms and foster collaboration between academia, industry and governments to strengthen knowledge exchange and practical impact.
Under his leadership, GITFiC aims to expand its AfCFTA Executive Education Programme, deepen engagement with regional and international trade and economic bodies, and strengthen its thought leadership in trade facilitation, financial innovation, economic integration and digital commerce.
GITFiC reaffirmed its dedication to promoting policy dialogue, trade facilitation and financial innovation through research, collaboration and strategic partnerships, noting that Prof. Adenutsi’s appointment signals a renewed commitment to excellence, capacity development and sustainable economic growth across Africa.
