Ghana’s export performance in 2025 strengthened as the year progressed, with trade activity accelerating toward the final months of the year and December recording the strongest monthly performance, according to data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The country recorded exports of GH₵401.5 billion in 2025, exceeding imports of GH₵253.2 billion and resulting in a trade surplus of GH₵148.3 billion. The surplus was more than three times the GH₵44.7 billion recorded in 2024.
Beyond the annual figures, the monthly data shows that Ghana’s export gains were increasingly concentrated in the second half of the year.
Exports exceeded imports in every month of 2025, but the gap widened significantly toward the end of the year. The monthly trade surplus rose from a low of GH₵5.6 billion in June to a peak of GH₵25.8 billion in December.
December emerged as the strongest month for Ghana’s international trade, with total trade reaching GH₵66.1 billion. Export earnings during the month stood at GH₵46.0 billion, the highest monthly export figure recorded throughout 2025.
The strong December performance also coincided with the festive season, a period typically associated with increased commercial activity, higher consumer demand and stronger movement of goods across markets. While the trade data does not attribute the December surge to seasonal factors alone, the timing reflects a period when economic activity often picks up as businesses prepare for increased end-of-year demand.
The pattern shows that while Ghana maintained a positive trade balance throughout the year, export activity gained additional momentum in the latter months, contributing significantly to the country’s overall trade performance.
The stronger second-half performance was reflected across Ghana’s key export commodities. Gold, cocoa beans and products, and mineral fuels and oils remained the dominant drivers of export earnings, contributing GH₵344.8 billion combined and accounting for 85.9% of total exports in 2025.
Gold alone accounted for GH₵253.3 billion of exports, followed by cocoa beans and products at GH₵56.2 billion and mineral fuels and oils at GH₵35.3 billion.
The concentration of export earnings around these commodities highlights the central role of Ghana’s traditional export sectors in driving trade performance. While stronger commodity receipts supported the country’s trade position, the dependence on a limited number of products leaves overall export outcomes closely tied to global commodity prices, production levels and external market conditions.
Ghana also expanded its global trade network in 2025, importing from 216 countries, up from 211 in 2024, while export destinations increased from 155 to 163 countries.
The second-half acceleration, particularly the December surge, could provide a more predictable window for planning production, financing, logistics and other trade-related activities if the pattern is sustained in subsequent years.
However, the continued concentration of export earnings around gold, cocoa and mineral fuels means Ghana’s trade outlook remains closely connected to developments in global commodity markets and the country’s ability to diversify its export base.
The 2025 trade data therefore presents a picture of an economy that strengthened its external position, while also revealing a trade cycle that appeared to gain momentum toward the end of the year and an export structure that remains heavily dependent on a few key commodities.
