Ghana Achieves Record $5bn Non-Traditional Export Milestone as GRA Modernizes Tax Systems and GSA Enhances Logistics

Ghana’s non-traditional export (NTE) sector reached a historic milestone in 2025, with earnings surpassing $5.006 billion for the first time. This achievement represents a significant 30.7% increase over the previous year, driven largely by processed products which now account for 83% of NTE earnings. Cocoa derivatives led this growth, with Europe remaining the largest market for Ghanaian exports. The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) celebrated this performance at a high-level forum, attributing the success to the resilience of exporters and improved compliance. To maintain this momentum, the GSA is intensifying efforts to position Ghana as a premier multimodal shipping hub in West Africa, focusing on digitalization and alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.

In tandem with trade expansion, the GSA is strengthening logistics through strategic partnerships, notably with Air Ghana to bolster the air cargo industry. This collaboration aims to address capacity challenges and facilitate smoother trade between Ghana and its regional neighbors. During recent stakeholder engagements, Monica Josiah of the GSA and Air Ghana CEO Karim Trabolusi highlighted the importance of creating a safe and competitive cargo environment. Simultaneously, the GSA is addressing industry concerns regarding shipping charges, working to ensure that Ghana’s Container Administrative Charges are aligned with services rendered to enhance the nation’s overall trade competitiveness.

On the domestic front, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is accelerating the rollout of its Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), scheduled for a full national launch by September 2026. Commissioner-General Anthony Kwasi Sarpong has assured the business community that the system is not a vehicle for new taxes but a digital reform designed to improve efficiency, transparency, and convenience. By consolidating registration, filing, and payments into a single platform, the GRA aims to reduce manual procedures and facilitate better management of tax obligations. The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has welcomed the initiative, noting its potential to modernize tax processes and encourage voluntary compliance among small and medium-sized enterprises.

While trade and tax frameworks modernize, Ghanaian traders face new challenges regarding cross-border commerce with Burkina Faso. The Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC) has issued a stern warning to traders and transport operators to adhere to a new export ban imposed by Burkina Faso on commodities including shea nuts, millet, maize, and soybeans. Authorities have cautioned that violations could result in severe penalties, including vehicle seizures and prosecution. The NRCC is urging local stakeholders and traditional authorities to promote awareness of these restrictions to ensure that trade along the Ghana-Burkina Faso corridor remains lawful and secure amidst the changing regional regulatory landscape.