Ghana’s mobile business sector is emerging as a major force in the country’s economy, but continues to operate with limited institutional support, according to new data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The 2024 Integrated Business Establishment Survey Phase I (IBES I) identified 82,920 mobile business operators nationwide, offering the first comprehensive national picture of businesses that operate on the move. These include hawkers, porters, and traders working from carts, vehicles, and other mobile setups, activities that have long defined Ghana’s streets but remained largely absent from official economic data.
The report describes the sector as both significant and dynamic, noting that “Mobile businesses are a visible and dynamic part of Ghana’s informal economy,” playing a central role in delivering goods and services directly to households, commuters, and communities. By moving across locations, these businesses extend markets into areas where formal retail infrastructure is limited, effectively serving as a last-mile distribution system within the economy.
The scale and composition of the sector highlight its importance for employment and livelihoods. Women dominate mobile trading, accounting for 77.5% of operators, while more than 60% are aged between 15 and 35, positioning the sector as a key entry point into economic activity for young people. For many, particularly in urban areas, mobile trading is not just supplementary income but a primary source of livelihood.
Geographically, the sector is heavily concentrated in major urban centres. Greater Accra alone accounts for 30.1% of operators, with Ashanti also recording a significant share. Together, the two regions host more than half of all mobile businesses, reflecting both population density and strong demand for flexible, accessible commerce.
Despite its scale and economic relevance, the sector remains structurally weak. Most operators work with limited capital, have little or no access to formal financial services, and operate without stable income streams. Long working hours, exposure to harsh weather conditions, and the absence of social protection further compound these challenges.
The GSS underscores this imbalance, stating that “Mobile businesses are a vital but under-measured part of Ghana’s economy,” pointing to a longstanding gap between the sector’s contribution and the level of policy attention it receives.
The findings come at a time when questions around job creation and economic inclusion are becoming more pressing. The prominence of mobile businesses suggests that a significant share of employment growth in Ghana is taking place outside the formal sector, driven by necessity, flexibility, and low barriers to entry.
At the same time, the report raises concerns about productivity and long-term sustainability. Without access to finance, training, and infrastructure, many mobile businesses remain small and vulnerable, limiting their ability to scale or transition into more stable enterprises.
To address these challenges, the GSS is calling for targeted interventions, including expanded access to microfinance and digital financial services tailored to mobile operators, strengthened skills development programmes, and greater integration of mobile businesses into urban planning and local economic strategies.
The report also highlights the need for broader recognition of the sector within national policy frameworks. While mobile traders are often viewed as informal or peripheral, their role in supporting supply chains, creating jobs, and expanding access to goods suggests they are, in fact, central to the functioning of the economy.
As the IBES findings make clear, the sector is already large, active, and deeply embedded in daily economic life. The challenge now lies in ensuring that its growth is matched by the support and structure needed to improve productivity, strengthen livelihoods, and drive more inclusive economic development.
