Passenger Arrivals Dip Marginally in Q1 2026
Passenger arrivals at Ghana’s international gateways recorded a slight decline in March 2026, even as transport sector indicators, particularly vehicle registration showed strong growth, according to the Bank of Ghana’s May 2026 Monetary Policy Report.
Air passenger traffic edges lower
Arrivals at the Accra International Airport fell by 1.8% year-on-year to 96,412 passengers, down from 98,146 recorded in March 2025. The report noted that on a month-on-month basis, passenger inflows remained largely stable, registering 96,412 compared with 96,494 in February 2026.
Despite the marginal monthly and annual decline, overall travel activity for the broader entry points showed some resilience. Cumulatively, total arrivals through both international airports and land borders reached 302,993 in the first quarter of 2026, compared with 295,415 in the same period of 2025, representing a 2.6% increase.
The mixed performance suggests that while short-term fluctuations were recorded in March, broader travel demand remains relatively stable, supported by regional movement and gradual recovery in international connectivity.
Transport sector shows strong expansion
In contrast to the modest dip in passenger arrivals, Ghana’s transport sector recorded robust growth, particularly in vehicle registrations.
Data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) showed that new vehicle registrations rose sharply by 61.5% year-on-year to 32,458 vehicles in March 2026, up from 20,103 vehicles recorded in the same period of 2025.
On a cumulative basis, total vehicle registrations for the first quarter of 2026 increased by 47.7%, reaching 104,401 units, compared with 70,692 a year earlier.
Interpretation of trends
The contrasting trends between passenger arrivals and vehicle registrations reflect shifting dynamics within the transport and mobility sector. While international travel showed mild softening in March, domestic mobility and vehicle demand expanded strongly, potentially supported by improved consumer activity, business logistics, and financing conditions.
Analysts suggest that sustained growth in vehicle registrations may also point to increased economic activity across commerce, services, and informal transport networks, even as external travel demand remains relatively stable.
Outlook
Overall, the data points to a transport sector experiencing mixed but generally positive momentum, with domestic mobility strengthening faster than international passenger flows.
