At Ghana’s busy border communities, where goods move daily between markets, farms and neighbouring countries, the humble aboboyaa has become an important part of the informal trade system.
The three-wheeled vehicle, known locally in many parts of Ghana as an aboboyaa, and also referred to by some as a Motor King or Mahama Keke, is a type of tricycle widely used for transporting goods across markets and communities. The tricycle emerged as the dominant mode of transport for informal cross-border trade during the first three quarters of 2025, according to data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The Informal Cross-Border Trade (ICBT) Survey found that tricycles accounted for the largest share of goods moved across Ghana’s borders, carrying an average of about GH¢2 billion worth of exports and GH¢1.7 billion worth of imports across the three quarters.
The findings provide a glimpse into the everyday systems supporting Ghana’s informal border economy, where traders often move goods in smaller quantities through multiple crossing points connecting Ghana with Togo, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire.
The survey estimated that informal cross-border trade reached GH¢31 billion between January and September 2025, representing 6% of Ghana’s total trade during the period.
While large trucks remain central to formal international trade routes, tricycles have become a common transport option for smaller-scale traders moving goods between border communities, markets and nearby towns.
The GSS survey covered 206 active border points across 10 regions and tracked goods that were not captured in official customs records. It found that informal trade remained a significant part of Ghana’s commercial activity with neighbouring countries.
Food products were among the major items traded informally. Cooking oil consistently ranked as the leading food import, while alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and energy drinks together accounted for about 30% of food exports to Ghana’s neighbours.
The prominence of tricycles reflects the nature of informal trade, where transactions often involve frequent movement of smaller quantities of goods rather than large shipments typically transported by commercial trucks.
Beyond moving goods, the vehicles have also become a source of livelihood for operators who support trade activities between border communities and local markets.
The GSS said the findings would improve understanding of informal trade flows and support policies aimed at strengthening border trade management, infrastructure and services for traders.
