South Africa became Ghana’s top export destination in Africa in the fourth quarter of 2025, taking more than half of the country’s exports to the continent.
According to the Ghana Statistical Service, Ghana exported goods worth GH¢12.1 billion to South Africa during the period about 63.8% of its total exports to Africa.
Exports were heavily concentrated in a few countries.
The top five including South Africa, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo together accounted for over 91% of Ghana’s exports to Africa.
Burkina Faso received GH¢2.5 billion worth of goods (13.2%), while exports to Nigeria totaled GH¢1.0 billion (5.4%).
Côte d’Ivoire and Togo recorded GH¢0.9 billion and GH¢0.8 billion, respectively.
Gold dominated exports to South Africa, making up 94.4% of shipments. Exports to Burkina Faso were mainly plastics, iron, and steel.
Nigeria largely imported mineral fuels and oil products, while Togo’s imports from Ghana were mostly iron, steel, and chemicals.
Overall, Ghana’s exports to Africa are led by gold and crude oil, along with manufactured goods like plastics and steel.
This shows both the country’s reliance on natural resources and its growing trade in manufactured products within the region.
The report highlights that Ghana’s exports are concentrated among a few key partners, reflecting current trade patterns as the country expands regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
