Ghana spent over GH¢52bn on diesel and petrol imports in 2025 as fuel dependence persists — GSS
Diesel and petrol remained Ghana's two largest imported commodities in 2025, highlighting the country's continued reliance on imported refined petroleum products despite efforts to expand domestic refining capacity and reduce import dependence.
According to the Ghana Statistical Service's (GSS) 2025 Annual International Merchandise Trade Statistics Report, diesel imported for the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) was the country's biggest import, valued at GH¢28.46 billion, representing 11.2 per cent of Ghana's total import bill.
Light oils, including motor spirit (petrol), ranked as the second-largest import, with a value of GH¢23.24 billion, accounting for 9.2 per cent of total imports.
Together, diesel and petrol imports amounted to GH¢51.7 billion, representing more than one-fifth of Ghana's total imports in 2025, underscoring the significant cost of meeting the country's energy needs through imported fuel.
The findings reinforce calls for increased investment in domestic petroleum refining to reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves, improve the trade balance and strengthen energy security.
Beyond petroleum products, used vehicles with engine capacities between 1,500cc and 3,000cc emerged as the third-largest import, valued at GH¢9.33 billion.
Crude petroleum ranked fourth with imports worth GH¢5.78 billion, followed by cement clinkers—an essential raw material for cement production—which recorded imports of GH¢4.76 billion.
Other major imports included off-highway dumpers, used vehicles with engine capacities between 1,000cc and 1,500cc, self-propelled bulldozers, processed cereal grains and frozen chicken.
The report noted that the country's top 10 imported commodities accounted for 34.3 per cent of total imports in 2025, while all other imported goods made up the remaining 65.7 per cent.
Overall, Ghana's import bill reached GH¢253.23 billion during the year.
According to the GSS, the composition of Ghana's imports continues to be dominated by energy products, transport equipment and industrial raw materials.
The report also points to persistent structural challenges within the economy, particularly the country's heavy dependence on imported refined petroleum products and capital goods, despite ongoing investments in industrialisation, local refining and import substitution initiatives.