Ghana’s Non-Traditional Export Sector Achieves Record Earnings in 2025
Ghana’s non-traditional export (NTE) sector has achieved a remarkable milestone, recording earnings of $5.0069 billion in 2025, marking a 30.7 per cent increase compared to the $3.83 billion recorded in 2024. This growth underscores the positive impact of the Accelerated Export Development Programme and highlights the sector’s potential to drive economic diversification and foreign exchange earnings.
Non-traditional exports encompass all products that are not part of Ghana’s traditional exports, such as cocoa, gold, crude oil, and timber. These exports play a crucial role in reducing the country’s reliance on a narrow range of commodities and promoting a more resilient economy.
Strong Performance in Value-Added Exports
The 2025 NTE Statistics Report, launched in Accra, revealed that processed and semi-processed products remained the dominant segment within the NTE sector. These products contributed $3.09 billion, representing a 52.78 per cent increase over 2024 and accounting for 83.47 per cent of total NTE earnings.
Cocoa derivatives, including cocoa paste, butter, and powder, continued to be the largest contributors to the export basket, making up 33.18 per cent of the total. This reflects the ongoing importance of the cocoa industry in Ghana’s export landscape.
Agricultural exports also saw significant growth, rising by 37.82 per cent to $710.3 million. This growth was driven by cashew nuts, shea nuts, and bananas. Notably, yam exports experienced a sharp 559 per cent increase, indicating a growing demand for these products in international markets.
Expansion of Export Markets
In terms of market destinations, Europe remained Ghana’s largest export market for non-traditional goods, generating $2.29 billion in revenue, which represents a 55.34 per cent increase. Africa accounted for 30.36 per cent of exports, largely due to increased intra-ECOWAS trade. North America recorded the highest growth rate at 82.40 per cent, while Asia saw a 14 per cent increase in exports.
The Netherlands emerged as Ghana’s leading export destination, followed by Burkina Faso, the United States, the United Kingdom, Togo, France, Italy, India, Côte d’Ivoire, and Vietnam. This diversification of markets is a positive sign for the sector’s long-term sustainability.
Leadership and Strategic Initiatives
Mr Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), highlighted the significance of the sector’s performance, stating that it demonstrates “a more competitive export base and expanding global reach.” He noted that the current level of performance, achieved with only 10 per cent of the import levy allocation, showcases the efficiency of GEPA’s efforts.
Arthur called for an increase in GEPA’s share of the import levy from 10 per cent to 20 per cent to accelerate progress towards the Authority’s $10 billion export target by 2030. He argued that this increase would lead to greater results in foreign exchange generation, job creation, and industrial transformation.
Support for SMEs and Capacity Building
GEPA has undertaken several key interventions in 2025, including supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to participate in international trade fairs, facilitating direct export shipments, and implementing capacity-building programmes for over 2,000 exporters. These initiatives aim to enhance the competitiveness of local businesses in the global market.
Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, emphasized the need for tailored financing solutions to support SMEs. She stressed the importance of “patient and well-structured capital designed specifically to meet the unique needs of small businesses in the export sector.”
Role of the NTE Sector in Economic Stability
Dr Johnson Asiama, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, highlighted the significance of the NTE sector in Ghana’s macroeconomic stability. He noted that the sector contributed about 16 per cent of Ghana’s total export earnings of $31.2 billion in 2025. The NTE sector plays a crucial role in strengthening foreign exchange reserves, stabilizing the cedi, and anchoring inflation.
Asiama called for deliberate policy interventions, including affordable financing, tax incentives, and improved access to international markets, to sustain the sector’s growth. These measures are essential for maintaining the momentum of the NTE sector and ensuring its continued contribution to Ghana’s economic development.
Exhibition of Non-Traditional Export Products
The launch of the 2025 NTE Statistics Report was accompanied by an exhibition showcasing a wide range of Ghanaian non-traditional export products. This event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with the latest developments in the sector and explore new business opportunities.
