Ghana’s latest international trade and mobility data paints a contrasting picture for two of its key gateways, Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and the country’s seaports.
According to new figures from the Bank of Ghana (BoG), passenger arrivals at KIA dropped sharply by 10.3% year-on-year to 98,146 in March 2025, down from 109,380 recorded in the same month last year. The data points to a notable cooling in international air travel to Ghana during the period, despite broader global recovery efforts in tourism and aviation.
On a more positive note, month-on-month arrivals showed a slight 2.2% uptick, suggesting early signs of renewed momentum in inbound travel.
Cumulatively, the first quarter of 2025 saw a 4.1% decline in total passenger arrivals across Ghana’s air and land borders, totaling 295,415 compared to 308,024 during Q1 of 2024.
Ports Thrive as Trade Holds Strong
While air travel faces turbulence, Ghana’s ports are sailing ahead. The report highlights a surge in international maritime trade, with total container traffic at Tema and Takoradi ports increasing by a robust 22% year-on-year to 73,577 laden containers in March 2025.
On a quarterly basis, container volumes climbed 20.5% to 205,145 units, signaling strong resilience in Ghana’s external trade ecosystem amid global economic uncertainty.
“The growth in port activity reflects resilience in Ghana’s external trade sector, bolstered by steady demand for imports and exports despite headwinds in the global economy,” the Bank of Ghana noted.
The uptick in seaport activity is seen as a boost for logistics operators, customs revenue, and overall supply chain performance indicators that Ghana’s trade-linked economy continues to weather international volatility better than many expected.
What does this mean for the economy
The diverging trends offer both caution and opportunity. The downturn in aviation signals a need for targeted recovery strategies in tourism and business travel, particularly at Ghana’s flagship airport. Meanwhile, the strong performance at the ports presents an optimistic outlook for trade-driven sectors, including manufacturing, wholesale, and freight services.
With the second half of the year underway, policymakers and industry stakeholders will be watching closely to determine whether the rebound in port activity can offset the drag from weakened passenger traffic and whether broader efforts to stimulate international arrivals will bear fruit.
