Ghana’s neighboring countries, Togo and Nigeria, emerged as the top destinations for outbound travelers from Ghana in 2023, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The finding underscores the growing intensity of intra-African mobility, driven by trade, business, and social visits, and highlights how cross-border economies within the ECOWAS region continue to shape Ghana’s tourism and travel flows.
The 2023 Domestic and Outbound Tourism Survey (DOTS) revealed that outbound same-day visitors to Togo accounted for the highest on-trip expenditure, GHS 12.8 million in the first quarter alone, while Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso also featured prominently as destinations of choice.
Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu said the data emphasize the economic and cultural depth of Ghana’s ties with its immediate neighbors.
“The survey shows that West Africa continues to be the most significant destination for Ghana’s outbound travelers. These movements are not just for leisure, but deeply tied to business, family, and cultural networks,” Dr. Iddrisu explained.
Across 2023, the GSS recorded 77,501 outbound same-day visitors and 393,305 outbound overnight travelers, spending a combined GHS 4 billion abroad. Most of these travelers journeyed by road, reflecting Ghana’s strong road transport linkages within the subregion.
According to the report, business and professional travel accounted for nearly 34 percent of same-day trips, while funeral and family visits made up the majority of overnight journeys particularly to neighboring West African states.
Of all outbound destinations, Togo consistently ranked highest in both the number of trips and total spending per visitor. Analysts attribute this to Togo’s proximity, ease of border access, and its vibrant trade corridor that connects Accra, Aflao, and Lomé.
For decades, Togo has served as a gateway for Ghanaian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged in cross-border trading, logistics, and commerce. The 2023 data show that this dynamic remains robust, with travel spending largely directed toward transportation, accommodation, and shopping.
Beyond Togo, Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire were the next most visited destinations, underscoring Ghana’s pivotal position within West Africa’s corridor of mobility and trade.
While Nigeria attracted mostly business travelers and professionals, Côte d’Ivoire’s traffic included cultural exchanges and visits to relatives, especially among communities with shared ethnic and familial ties across the border.
Experts say these travel flows carry significant policy implications for Ghana’s transport, immigration, and tourism planning, particularly as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) continues to encourage seamless movement of people and goods across borders.
The GSS data also highlight a notable gap in how Ghana’s outbound travel links are monetized. Despite strong cross-border movement, most outbound spending benefits foreign transport operators, hotels, and retailers.
The GSS recommends strengthening border infrastructure, visa facilitation, and hospitality investments in border towns like Aflao, Elubo, and Paga to make cross-border travel more efficient and profitable for local communities.
Dr. Iddrisu emphasized that data-driven planning will be central to unlocking the value of Ghana’s outbound tourism flows.
“Our findings show that regional travel is not slowing down,” he said. “To benefit fully, Ghana must turn outbound mobility into a channel for business, culture, and tourism growth within Africa.”
As Ghana works toward building its first Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), these insights could prove critical for mapping the economic footprint of cross-border tourism and guiding investment into regional partnerships.
