Ghana Expands Middle East Cocoa Exports and Port Traffic as Trade Earnings Hit $6.2 Billion in Early 2026

Ghana’s trade landscape is undergoing a significant transformation in 2026, driven by robust export earnings and strategic market diversification. The Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC) Ghana Limited has secured major offtake commitments from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia for semi-finished cocoa products, including liquor, butter, cake, and powder. This initiative, led by Managing Director Dr. Wisdom Dogbey, aligns with the government’s target to process at least 50% of the nation’s cocoa beans domestically. These developments come as official data reveals that Ghana’s export earnings reached $6.2 billion in the first two months of 2026 alone, signaling a strong start for the fiscal year and a shift toward higher value-added exports.

The surge in merchandise trade is mirrored by the performance of Ghana’s maritime hubs. In the first quarter of 2026, total laden container traffic through the Tema and Takoradi ports reached 237,018 containers, a 15.5% increase compared to the same period in 2025. March 2026 saw an even sharper spike, with container volumes climbing 24.7% year-on-year. While passenger arrivals dipped slightly by 1.8% during the same month, the cumulative growth in cargo traffic underscores a period of intensified commercial activity and the strengthening of the nation’s role as a regional trade gateway.

To support this burgeoning trade volume, the National Insurance Commission (NIC) has introduced a comprehensive strategy to reform the marine cargo insurance market. Recognizing that effective risk management is vital for economic resilience, the NIC is prioritizing faster claims settlement, digital verification systems, and improved collaboration across the trade value chain. NIC official Stella Jonah and industry experts emphasize that under the Insurance Act of 2021, local insurance for commercial imports is mandatory. These reforms, including a new marine and aviation insurance database, are designed to enhance Ghana’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by building greater business confidence.

Despite these gains in cocoa and maritime logistics, industry experts are calling for a similar revitalization in the textile sector to reduce heavy import dependency. Professor Ebenezer Kofi Howard of KNUST recently highlighted that over 70% of Ghana’s textiles are currently imported, a factor contributing to the industry’s decline. He proposed a restructuring of the National Cotton Development Authority and the establishment of an Industrial Dyes Park to create a sustainable local raw material base. By leveraging petrochemical resources and fostering academic-industry partnerships, Ghana aims to emulate the industrial success of nations like Vietnam and Bangladesh, ensuring that future trade growth is anchored by a self-sufficient manufacturing sector.