Ghana recorded a trade surplus of GH¢148.3 billion in 2025, marking a sharp increase from the previous year as export earnings continued to outpace imports, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The figures are contained in the 2025 Annual International Merchandise Trade Statistics Report, which shows that the country’s total merchandise trade reached GH¢654.7 billion (US$52.5 billion) during the year.
Speaking at the presentation of the report, Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu said Ghana exported goods worth GH¢401.5 billion, while imports totalled GH¢253.2 billion, resulting in the highest trade surplus recorded in recent years.
The surplus represents a significant improvement over the GH¢44.7 billion recorded in 2024, with stronger export earnings from gold, cocoa and crude petroleum driving the growth.
According to the report, exports exceeded imports throughout all twelve months of 2025, with December recording the highest level of trade activity. During that month, exports reached GH¢46 billion, generating a monthly trade surplus of GH¢25.8 billion.
Gold remained Ghana’s leading export commodity, contributing GH¢252.4 billion, or nearly two-thirds of the country’s total exports. Cocoa and cocoa products generated GH¢56.2 billion, while crude petroleum exports were valued at GH¢35.3 billion.
Combined, the three commodities accounted for almost 86 per cent of Ghana’s export earnings during the year.
On the import side, diesel topped the list at GH¢28.4 billion, followed by petrol valued at GH¢23.2 billion. Other major imports included vehicles, industrial machinery, cement clinker, rice and chemical products.
The report also showed that Ghana expanded its international trade network in 2025, importing goods from 216 countries and exporting to 163 countries, an increase compared with the previous year.
Asia remained Ghana’s largest trading region. The United Arab Emirates, India, Switzerland, South Africa and China were among the country’s leading export destinations, while China continued to be Ghana’s biggest source of imports.
Within Africa, Ghana posted a trade surplus of GH¢34.7 billion, exporting goods to 51 African countries and importing from 55 countries across the continent.
