Data from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), indicates that despite the pan-continental preferential trading regime created by the commencement of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Ghanaian enterprises are still focusing most of their regional non-traditional export (NTE) efforts on selling to their neighbouring West African markets rather than expanding their export sales markets further afield. While NTEs to the African continent reached US$1.52 billion in 2025, (up 4.99% from US$1.45 billion in 2024) trade within the continent has remained anchored largely around neigbouring countries and regional blocs particularly ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Indeed ECOWAS remained the largest regional market destination last year, accounting for US$767.8 million, representing more than half of all Africa bound exports
The ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme active since 1990, has allowed for duty free trading in goods originating from its member nations over two decades before a similar preferential trading regime was introduced for the entire continent and the data suggests that this has entrenched trading behavior among Ghanaian enterprises and it will take time for most of them to adjust to opportunities further afield.
Togo emerged as Ghana’s leading ECOWAS market destination for NTEs last year, following the transition of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger into the AES bloc.
Exports to Togo increased by 10.23 percent, reaching US$232 million, driven by the country’s role as a strategic transit and re-export hub, alongside strong demand for manufactured goods such as iron and steel and articles of plastics. La Côte d’Ivoire came second with US$205 million, followed by Nigeria with US$103.5 million and Senegal at US$87.5 million, reinforcing West Africa’s position as Ghana’s core regional market.
The Alliance of Sahel (AES) accounted for an even larger US$674.8 million, driven primarily by Burkina Faso, which alone recorded US$532.2 million in imports from Ghana. Mali and Niger also contributed meaningfully to trade, supported by strong demand for Ghanaian manufactured and processed goods. Instructively, prior to separating from ECOWAS to establish AES, those three countries were founding members of the ECOWAS TLS and the preferential trading terms still remain in place.
Other African regional blocs however contributed smaller volumes. The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) recorded US$14.8 million, led by Algeria, while the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) generated US$14.2 million, driven largely by Egypt’s demand for semi processed products. The East African Community (EAC) contributed US$11.9 million, led by Kenya, and Central Africa (CEMAC) accounted for US$11.3 million, mainly from Cameroon. From Southern Africa, SADC imports reached US$8 million, with South Africa serving as the primary market destination.
However Ghanaian enterprises are increasingly repositioning themselves to take advantage of the wider preferential trading opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, with exporters moving beyond traditional commodities into processed foods, cosmetics, garments, pharmaceuticals and light manufactured products. The shift marks a significant evolution in Ghana’s export strategy, as businesses seek to leverage continental market access under AfCFTA while reducing dependence on Europe and North America.
The momentum has accelerated since Ghana became one of the pioneer countries selected for the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), which began commercially meaningful trade in 2022. Under the initiative, Ghanaian firms have been able to export goods under preferential tariff arrangements to countries including Kenya, Rwanda, Egypt, Cameroon and South Africa.
Government officials say Ghanaian businesses are now beginning to appreciate the scale of the opportunity presented by a continental market of more than 1.4 billion people. According to Ghana’s National AfCFTA Coordination Office, enterprises are increasingly investing in packaging, standards certification, branding and logistics in order to comply with AfCFTA rules of origin and quality requirements.
Trade experts note that unlike Ghana’s traditional exports under bilateral and multilateral arrangements, AfCFTA is creating demand for value-added products rather than raw commodities. Processed foods, cassava products, shea butter, coconut oil, cosmetics, garments and beverages are among the emerging export categories.
More than 700 Ghanaian products have already secured approval under AfCFTA’s Guided Trade Initiative. These included processed foods, cosmetics, garments and agro-processed goods targeted at continental markets.
Several Ghanaian companies have emerged as early movers under the AfCFTA framework. Firms involved in processed foods, textiles, pharmaceuticals and personal care products have reportedly begun shipping goods to East and Southern African markets. Government officials indicate that about 30 Ghanaian companies are actively exporting under AfCFTA arrangements, with at least 14 companies participating directly in the Guided Trade Initiative.
Officials of the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry say exploratory trade missions involving more than 100 Ghanaian firms have been organized to help enterprises identify market opportunities and establish distribution channels across Africa.
The support structure for Ghanaian enterprises has become increasingly institutionalized. The National AfCFTA Coordination Office, established under the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, is spearheading export readiness programmes, enterprise support services and trade information systems for Ghanaian businesses which are receiving assistance with rules-of-origin certification, customs documentation, product standards, market intelligence and export financing referrals. Ghanaian exporters are also being supported to use the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which reduces dependence on foreign currencies in intra-African trade transactions.
The AfCFTA Secretariat itself has provided technical assistance by guiding participating countries through customs procedures, tariff implementation and trade documentation under the GTI. The Secretariat has also expanded the number of participating countries and products covered under the initiative, thereby widening market opportunities for Ghanaian exporters.
AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene has repeatedly emphasized the importance of industrialization and regional value chains in making AfCFTA commercially meaningful. Speaking during the Ghana roadshow for the 2025 Intra-African Trade Fair, he stressed the need for African economies to move “beyond commodity-based trade” towards manufacturing and value addition.
Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, similarly stated that government policy is focused on creating “an enabling environment” through improved trade infrastructure, financing and market access support.
The government’s Accelerated Export Development Programme (AEDP), introduced in 2025, and is expected to deepen enterprise participation under AfCFTA. President John Dramani Mahama announced that the programme aims to triple the number of Ghanaian firms certified under AfCFTA rules of origin while expanding export readiness training for SMEs, youth-led businesses and women-owned enterprises.
According to an official document from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA): “In line with national trade priorities, GEPA is strengthening regional market engagement, particularly in West Africa, by maximizing opportunities under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This will be executed through market access surveys, regional trade missions, investment forums and study tours.”
By: Toma Imirhe / businesspostonline
