South Africa emerged as Ghana’s second-largest source of imports in the second quarter of 2026, rising sharply from fifth place in the first quarter as machinery and electrical equipment drove a surge in trade between the two countries.
Ghana imported GH¢11.8 billion worth of goods from South Africa during the quarter, up from GH¢1.1 billion in Q1, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The increase was largely concentrated in machinery and electrical equipment, which accounted for 92.3% of Ghana’s imports from South Africa.
Pump parts alone accounted for about GH¢10.0 billion, making South Africa the main source of machinery and electrical equipment imported by Ghana during the quarter, supplying 48.8% of the total for that product group.
The composition of trade was markedly different on the export side.
Ghana exported GH¢10.8 billion worth of goods to South Africa in Q2, making it the country’s largest export market in Africa. However, the trade was overwhelmingly concentrated in gold, which accounted for 99.8% of Ghana’s exports to South Africa.
This means the sharp increase in Ghana’s imports from South Africa was largely linked to industrial equipment and components, while Ghana’s exports to the country remained dominated by gold.
South Africa’s rise also changed the ranking of Ghana’s major import sources.
China retained the top position with GH¢20.4 billion in imports, representing 21.5% of Ghana’s total imports. The United Arab Emirates followed South Africa with GH¢7.8 billion, while the United States and Nigeria supplied GH¢7.0 billion and GH¢4.9 billion respectively.
Together, the five largest import sources accounted for 54.8% of Ghana’s imports in Q2.
On the export side, Ghana’s markets were more concentrated. The United Arab Emirates became the largest destination, receiving GH¢32.7 billion, or 30.2%, of Ghana’s exports. India followed with GH¢17.6 billion and Switzerland with GH¢17.5 billion.
The UAE and India alone accounted for 46.4% of Ghana’s exports, while the top five destinations absorbed 76.2%.
