Diaspora Remittances Hit Record $7.8bn in 2025 – Mahama
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that remittances from Ghanaians living abroad surged to a historic high of $7.8 billion in 2025, underscoring the growing importance of the diaspora in supporting the country’s economic stability and development.
Delivering his 2026 State of the Nation Address in Parliament, the President described the figure as the largest annual inflow of remittances ever recorded in Ghana’s history, emphasizing the resilience and commitment of citizens abroad in contributing to national progress.
“Mr. Speaker, I’m also pleased to report that remittances from our relatives abroad, the Ghanaian diaspora, reached a historic high of $7.8 billion in 2025,” he stated.
According to President Mahama, the record inflow reflects renewed confidence in Ghana’s economic direction as well as the enduring patriotism of Ghanaians living overseas. He noted that unlike other financial inflows such as foreign direct investment or donor support, remittances have a more direct and immediate impact on households and local communities.
“These remittances support households, finance education, build homes, provide seed capital for businesses, and most importantly, help stabilise our foreign exchange position,” he explained.
Analysts say the $7.8 billion inflow represents a critical buffer for Ghana’s external sector, helping to shore up foreign exchange reserves and support the relative stability of the cedi. The steady inflow of diaspora funds has also contributed to increased consumption and small business growth, particularly in urban and peri-urban communities.
The President’s remarks highlight a broader shift in the structure of Ghana’s external financing, with remittances increasingly overtaking traditional sources such as official development assistance and, in some cases, rivaling foreign direct investment.
In a notable acknowledgment, President Mahama described the Ghanaian diaspora as one of the country’s most dependable development partners, pointing to the unique nature of their contributions.
“In many respects, our diaspora has become one of the country’s most reliable development partners. Without contracts, conditionalities, or fanfare, they are easily one of our most reliable development partners,” he said.
Economic observers note that remittance flows tend to be more stable than other forms of external financing, particularly during periods of global uncertainty. This makes them a vital pillar for economic resilience, especially for developing economies like Ghana.
The government is expected to deepen engagement with the diaspora through targeted policies aimed at reducing transfer costs, encouraging formal remittance channels, and creating investment opportunities that can further channel these funds into productive sectors of the economy.
With remittances now playing a central role in household welfare, private sector financing, and macroeconomic stability, the latest figures reinforce the strategic importance of Ghana’s global diaspora in shaping the country’s economic future.
