Ghana’s Non-Traditional Exports Reaches US$2.54bn
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
Ghana’s non-traditional exports recorded a strong performance in the first half of 2025, rising by more than 41 per cent, as government policy reforms, expanded market access initiatives and intensified trade diplomacy combined to lift export earnings, the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has said.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series, the Minister disclosed that earnings from non-traditional exports reached US$2.54 billion between January and June 2025, representing a 41.2 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. She attributed the growth to deliberate value addition efforts, improved exporter support, and wider market diversification under the Accelerated Exports Development Programme.
According to her, the government remains committed to scaling up the sector and has set an ambitious target of achieving US$10 billion in non-traditional export earnings by 2030. She said this target is anchored on strengthening production capacity, improving logistics, and deepening access to both regional and global markets.
A key policy reform driving the improved performance, the Minister explained, was the extension of the export proceeds repatriation period from 60 to 120 days. The decision, taken after consultations with the Bank of Ghana, was intended to enhance the competitiveness of Ghanaian exporters, particularly those trading within the West African sub-region where longer settlement cycles are common.
She noted that the ministry has also engaged neighbouring countries to resolve persistent cross-border road transport challenges, including issues related to payments, taxes and transit delays, which have historically constrained export flows.
Ghana’s export drive, Madam Ofosu-Adjare said, has been further reinforced by active international engagement. She cited Ghana’s participation in the World Expo in Osaka, Japan, which was followed by the visit of a 50-member Japanese investment delegation to Ghana. The delegation expressed interest in automotive components, cocoa processing and cash-crop value chains. Ghana also received recognition at the expo, winning an award for best national theme.
Through the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), she said, targeted support was provided to boost agricultural exports. This included the distribution of 211,606 coconut seedlings, two million pineapple suckers and other planting inputs to growers to expand export-oriented production. In addition, small and medium-sized enterprises were supported to participate in international trade fairs, helping them secure export orders valued at about US$350 million.
The Minister added that Ghanaian handicraft and manufacturing firms also generated approximately US$250 million in export deals through global buyer-seller platforms facilitated by GEPA.
Highlighting improvements in regional logistics, she noted that for the first time, 26 metric tonnes of mangoes were successfully transported by road from Ghana to Morocco, signalling growing capacity in regional perishables trade.
She also outlined gains under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), including the registration of 27 AfCFTA-focused Free Zones enterprises. Free Zones companies generated export earnings of US$973.4 million in 2025, alongside US$165 million in new investment and the creation of about 1,600 jobs.
On market access, Madam Ofosu-Adjare said Ghana has been actively engaging the United States following the expiry of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the imposition of tariffs. She revealed that Ghana played a role in coordinated lobbying efforts that helped secure a three-year extension of AGOA. At the same time, discussions with China are progressing towards an Early Harvest Agreement under Beijing’s zero-tariff offer.
She expressed confidence that sustained reforms and strategic partnerships would further strengthen Ghana’s non-traditional export sector and support long-term economic growth.
