Ghana’s export sector delivered a record performance in 2025, driving the country’s trade surplus to GH¢148.3 billion, the highest level in recent years and more than three times the surplus recorded in 2024.
The 2025 Annual International Merchandise Trade Statistics Report released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) showed that exports significantly outpaced imports throughout the year, supported by strong earnings from gold, cocoa and petroleum.
Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu said Ghana exported GH¢401.5 billion worth of goods in 2025, while imports totalled GH¢253.2 billion, resulting in the record trade surplus.
The surplus represents a sharp increase from the GH¢44.7 billion recorded in 2024 and reflects the country’s strongest export performance in years.
According to the report, gold remained the backbone of Ghana’s export economy, generating GH¢252.4 billion and accounting for nearly 63% of total export earnings.
Cocoa beans and cocoa products contributed GH¢56.2 billion, while crude petroleum exports brought in GH¢35.3 billion.
Together, the three commodities accounted for nearly 86% of Ghana’s total exports, highlighting the continued importance of the extractive and agricultural sectors to the country’s external trade.
The report showed that Ghana maintained a trade surplus in every month of 2025, with December recording the highest trade activity. Exports reached GH¢46 billion during the month, generating a monthly trade surplus of GH¢25.8 billion.
On the import side, diesel was the largest imported product at GH¢28.4 billion, followed by petrol imports worth GH¢23.2 billion. The country also imported vehicles, machinery, cement clinkers, rice and other food products.
The Statistical Service said Ghana’s trade network expanded during the year, with the country importing from 216 countries and exporting to 163 countries, both higher than in 2024.
Asia remained Ghana’s largest trading partner, with the United Arab Emirates, India, Switzerland, South Africa and China emerging as major export destinations.
China continued to dominate Ghana’s import market, supplying machinery, vehicles, iron and steel products, plastics and chemicals.
The report also pointed to stronger intra-African trade, with Ghana recording a GH¢34.7 billion trade surplus with African countries in 2025.
Ghana exported goods to 51 African countries and imported from 55 countries across the continent, indicating growing regional trade integration alongside the country’s expanding global export footprint.
