Ghana’s non-traditional exports (NTEs) to African markets continued to grow in 2025, but the country’s exporters remain heavily dependent on traditional West African trade corridors despite the wider opportunities created under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Data from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority showed that Ghana’s NTE earnings from Africa rose to US$1.52 billion in 2025 from US$1.45 billion in 2024, representing a 4.99 percent increase. However, more than half of those exports were destined for the West African sub-region, particularly member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
ECOWAS alone accounted for US$767.8 million in exports, underscoring the enduring influence of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), which has facilitated duty-free regional trade since 1990.
Trade analysts say the long-standing preferential trade arrangement has entrenched regional trading patterns among Ghanaian businesses, making neighbouring markets more attractive than newer continental destinations under AfCFTA.
Togo emerged as Ghana’s leading ECOWAS destination for non-traditional exports in 2025, recording imports worth US$232 million, a 10.23 percent increase over the previous year. The growth was driven by Togo’s strategic role as a transit and re-export hub, as well as strong demand for Ghanaian manufactured goods including iron and steel products and plastics.
Côte d’Ivoire followed with US$205 million in imports, while Nigeria accounted for US$103.5 million and Senegal imported US$87.5 million worth of Ghanaian products.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, generated an even larger combined import value of US$674.8 million. Burkina Faso alone accounted for US$532.2 million, driven largely by demand for processed and manufactured goods from Ghana.
Other African regional blocs contributed significantly smaller trade volumes. The Arab Maghreb Union generated US$14.8 million in imports, while the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa recorded US$14.2 million. The East African Community contributed US$11.9 million and the Southern African Development Community accounted for US$8 million.
The figures suggest that while AfCFTA has opened access to a continental market of more than 1.4 billion people, Ghanaian exporters are still in the early stages of expanding beyond traditional regional trade networks.
Officials at the Ghana Export Promotion Authority say efforts are ongoing to deepen continental market penetration through trade missions, market access surveys and investment promotion initiatives aimed at helping local enterprises exploit AfCFTA opportunities.
By: Toma Imirhe / businesspostonline
