Ghana’s informal cross-border trade hits GH¢31billion, surpasses formal trade – GSS Report
Informal cross-border trade between Ghana and its three neighbouring countries — Togo, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire — reached GH¢31 billion in the first three quarters of 2025, exceeding the value of formal trade recorded within the same period.
This is according to the Ghana Statistical Service’s (GSS) first Informal Cross-Border Trade report, which revealed that informal trade was about one and a half times higher than formal trade with the three neighbouring countries, which stood at GH¢20.1 billion.
The report, which provides the first continuous measurement of informal trade activities in Ghana, tracked transactions across 206 active border points in 10 of the country’s 16 regions between October 2024 and September 2025.
Data collection involved direct observation of goods crossing borders and face-to-face interviews with traders over 14 days each month, between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm.
Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu highlighted the importance of measuring informal trade to improve economic planning and policymaking.
“You cannot plan for what you cannot measure, and you cannot protect what you cannot see. Measuring informal cross border trade is the first step towards understanding its contribution to Ghana's economy and ensuring that the evidence informs policy. Every trader counts, and every trade should be counted,” he stated.
The findings indicate that informal trade remains the dominant form of commerce between Ghana and its neighbouring countries, accounting for more than two-thirds of total trade with Togo, about two-thirds of trade with Côte d’Ivoire, and nearly half of trade with Burkina Faso.
Ghana recorded trade surpluses with Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire during the period under review. However, the overall trade surplus declined significantly from GH¢665.3 million in the second quarter to GH¢49.3 million in the third quarter, largely due to a widening trade deficit with Togo.
The report also showed that food products made up 49.4 per cent of informal imports by the third quarter of 2025, with cooking oil emerging as the largest food import by value.
Livestock imports were mainly sourced from Burkina Faso, while vegetables and oil seeds largely entered Ghana through Togo. The country’s informal food trade deficit increased from approximately GH¢400 million in the first quarter to about GH¢800 million in the third quarter.
Regional analysis showed that the Upper East Region recorded the highest value of informal exports, while the Volta Region accounted for the highest value of informal imports. Paga was identified as the busiest entry point for imported goods.
The report further revealed gender differences among participants in informal trade activities, with men representing about 70 per cent of transporters of exported goods, while women accounted for more than 60 per cent of those transporting imported goods.
Most goods were moved using tricycles and motorbikes, reflecting the nature of commercial activities along Ghana’s land borders.
To strengthen the sector and maximise its economic benefits, the GSS recommended simplifying registration and licensing processes for small-scale traders, improving access to finance and training, upgrading border infrastructure and data systems, enhancing cooperation with neighbouring countries, and increasing domestic production of major imported commodities.
The report noted that recognising and supporting informal cross-border trade will provide a stronger foundation for inclusive economic growth and evidence-based policy decisions.