Ghana posted notable trade surpluses with Burkina Faso (GH¢576 million) and Côte d’Ivoire (GH¢378 million) in the Fourth Quarter of 2024, to underscore the strength of informal trade links with its northern and western neighbours.

This comes as the country’s informal cross-border trade (ICBT) reached an estimated GH¢7.4 billion, equivalent to 4.3 percent of Ghana’s total trade, according to the latest national ICBT survey.

The survey, which covered more than 300 border points across ten regions, paints a vivid picture of the enduring vitality of Ghana’s border economies.

Read also: Cross-border informal trade in 2024 Q4 estimated at GH₵7.4bn – GSS

It revealed that while Ghana enjoyed surpluses with Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire, it recorded a trade deficit of GH¢539 million with Togo, pointing to varied trade dynamics within the subregion.

Exports were dominated by alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, reflecting strong demand for Ghanaian-manufactured products in neighbouring markets. On the import side, cooking oil, rice, and livestock were identified as the top commodities entering Ghana through informal channels.

Regionally, the Upper East Region emerged as the hub of informal export activity, accounting for volumes fifteen times greater than those of the Savannah Region, the least active in the survey.

The report also highlighted gender-based roles in trade operations—men were found to dominate export transport, while women played a leading role in imports, particularly along the northern and western corridors.