In Mauritania, President Pavel held official talks with President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani and met Czech military instructors working with Mauritanian special forces. During a business forum, representatives of Czech and local companies explored new cooperation opportunities. The event concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Czech Confederation of Industry and the Mauritanian Employers’ Association, aiming to support long-term business collaboration.

In addition to political and business meetings, the Czech delegation visited cultural institutions and met with representatives of the UNHCR and the diplomatic community in Nouakchott.

According to President Pavel, many African countries still remember the close ties they had with Czechoslovakia. “There’s a very positive perception of the Czech Republic here. We should not let these relationships fade, but renew them – this time on modern and equal foundations,” he said.

The visit continued in Ghana, where a Czech president arrived for the first time in over six decades. President Pavel met with President John Dramani Mahama to discuss trade cooperation and the role of Czech companies in Ghana’s development. Mahama praised Czech contributions to infrastructure projects, including hospitals and bridges. Pavel pointed out opportunities for further collaboration in agriculture, healthcare, and mining.

Czech firms have an established footprint in Ghana. For example, VAMED has built a hospital, and the company Knights is not only involved in bridge construction but has also restored footwear production in Kumasi – reviving a former Czechoslovak factory from the 1960s.

In Accra, President Pavel also opened the Czech House, a new showroom for Czech technologies and solutions. The space aims to present the country’s expertise in areas such as healthcare, sustainable infrastructure, and even aerospace.

With Ghana seen as one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, Czech-Ghanaian trade reached 33 million USD in 2024. Despite past financial challenges, Czech companies continue to see strong potential for export growth and business partnerships in the region.

President Pavel’s visit followed an earlier trip by Prime Minister Petr Fiala in 2023 and signals a growing Czech interest in building economic ties across Africa.

Prepared by the team from the foreign office CzechTrade Egypt.
Sources: https://www.hrad.cz/cs/pro-media/tiskove-zpravy/aktualni-tiskove-zpravy/prezident-republiky-ukoncil-navstevu-mauritanie.-cestu-po-africe-zakonci-v-ghane-18481<br/> https://www.ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/2658065