Ghana’s services sector remained the dominant force in the economy in the third quarter of 2025, expanding by 7.6% and accounting for almost 60% of the country’s overall GDP growth, according to new national accounts data released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). The information and communication technology (ICT) subsector led the surge, posting a 17% growth rate, its strongest performance in the past two years.
Presenting the Q3 2025 GDP results in Accra, Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu said the services sector “continued to be the largest and strongest segment of the economy, constituting nearly 40% of total output and remaining the most influential driver of national growth.
“ICT recorded the largest growth in the sector at 17%, up from 15.6% in the same period last year,” Dr. Iddrisu said. He noted that ICT also contributed the most to the services sector’s performance, ultimately helping the sector deliver 59.5% of the country’s Q3 growth.
Digital Activity Anchors Gains Across Services
According to the GSS, the services sector’s expansion was broad-based, with transport and storage growing by 10.4%, trade rising by 10%, education up by 5.9%, and financial and insurance activities increasing by 4%.
However, ICT remained the standout performer, driven by rising use of mobile applications, data services, digital payments, online commerce and enterprise digital tools.
The GSS noted that demand for digital services has been one of the most significant structural shifts in Ghana’s economy over the past decade, a trend that intensified after the pandemic and continues to shape how households, firms and government operate.
What the ICT Surge Means for Businesses
The GSS urged businesses to align investment with high-growth areas, noting ICT as a primary opportunity for expansion and innovation.
Dr. Iddrisu said firms could “shift capital and effort towards ICT, trade, transport, crops and manufacturing,” where most of the momentum is now concentrated.
For companies, the ICT boom translates into rising market opportunities in software development, digital marketing, fintech operations, customer-support technologies, logistics tech, data analytics and cloud-based services.
Sectors such as retail, banking, hospitality and education also stand to benefit as digital platforms reshape service delivery and reduce operational costs.
What It Means for Households
For households, the services and ICT expansion is expected to deepen access to digital tools and lower barriers to digital participation. The GSS noted that cheaper data services, online learning platforms, e-commerce access, mobile banking and telemedicine will increasingly influence household welfare and job prospects.
ICT-driven growth also broadens career pathways for young people, with rising demand for programmers, technicians, digital creatives, cybersecurity specialists and fintech service operators.
A Sector Defining Ghana’s Economic Future
The GSS described the services sector, powered by ICT, as the anchor of Ghana’s modern economy and the clearest indicator of the country’s long-term digital shift. With a 39.7% share of total GDP and consistent year-on-year growth above historical averages, services remain the most reliable engine of economic expansion.
While agriculture and other segments also posted strong gains in Q3, Dr. Iddrisu noted that ICT and other service activities “continue to expand rapidly as digital services, mobile applications, data services and online commerce gain prominence in the economy.”
The GSS stressed the need for continued investment in digital infrastructure, connectivity, cybersecurity, and digital skills training to sustain the momentum. The ICT-service ecosystem, it said, will remain central to Ghana’s push toward a more competitive, technology-driven economy.
