South Africa emerged as Ghana’s leading export destination within Africa in the fourth quarter of 2025, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the country’s total exports to the continent, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
Data from the GSS International Trade Statistical Newsletter shows that Ghana exported goods worth GH₵12.1 billion to South Africa during the period, representing 63.8 percent of total exports to Africa.
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The report highlights a strong concentration of Ghana’s exports among a few key regional markets. The top five destinations—South Africa, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo—collectively accounted for over 91 percent of Ghana’s exports to the continent in the fourth quarter.
Exports to Burkina Faso reached GH₵2.5 billion, making up 13.2 percent of the total, while shipments to Nigeria amounted to GH₵1.0 billion, representing 5.4 percent. Exports to Côte d’Ivoire and Togo stood at GH₵0.9 billion and GH₵0.8 billion, respectively.
Commodity composition varied across markets. Gold dominated exports to South Africa, accounting for 94.4 percent of shipments. In contrast, exports to Burkina Faso were largely driven by plastic products, as well as iron and steel, which together made up nearly three-quarters of trade.
Exports to Nigeria were primarily mineral fuels and oil products, accounting for more than 70 percent of shipments, while exports to Togo were led by iron and steel and chemical products, which together contributed over half of total exports.
Overall, Ghana’s exports to Africa were heavily concentrated in gold bullion and crude petroleum, alongside manufactured goods such as plastics, iron, and steel. This reflects both the country’s continued reliance on mineral commodities and a gradual expansion in manufactured exports within the region.
According to the GSS, the concentration of exports among a few regional partners underscores the current structure of Ghana’s intra-African trade, as the country seeks to deepen regional commerce under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
