Ghana Statistical Service just released its maiden Informal Cross-Border Trade Survey, covering the period of October to December 2024 and capturing trade activities taking place outside formal Customs systems, along 321 border points and across ten regions, using direct observation and trader interviews.
The report, which was covered by national media (see here and here), reveals important aspects of cross-border trade in Ghana; for example, that informal trade continues to dominate the country’s commerce with its immediate neighbours – Togo, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire, and that it accounted for 61.2% of total trade with Togo, 55.7% with Côte d’Ivoire and 37.1% with Burkina Faso, showing a trade surplus of GH¢576.4 million with Burkina Faso and GH¢377.6 million with Côte d’Ivoire, but a deficit of GH¢539.3 million with Togo, for the said period.
These findings align with the recently released regional report by OECD/SWAC, “Intra-regional Food Trade in West Africa: New Evidence, New Perspectives”, which hint that actual intra-regional food trade is six times higher than official statistics across West Africa—valued at approximately USD 10 billion annually (check out said report using this link).
They are also in line with the recommendations of Borderless Alliance’s recent submission to ATPC/UNECA, “Addressing the trade facilitation challenge in the context of the AfCFTA: views from West Africa”, which urges policymakers to focus on providing the necessary infrastructure and regulatory framework to facilitate cross-border trade (view here).
We look forward to working with all of you in disseminating its findings and advocating for the implementation of its recommendations, towards the facilitation of free movement of goods and people across West Africa.
Informal Cross-Border Trade Survey – GH (Q4 2024)
Ghana Statistical Service just released its maiden Informal Cross-Border Trade Survey, covering the period of October to December 2024 and capturing trade activities taking place outside formal Customs systems, along 321 border points and across ten regions, using direct observation and trader interviews.
The report, which was covered by national media (see here and here), reveals important aspects of cross-border trade in Ghana; for example, that informal trade continues to dominate the country’s commerce with its immediate neighbours – Togo, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire, and that it accounted for 61.2% of total trade with Togo, 55.7% with Côte d’Ivoire and 37.1% with Burkina Faso, showing a trade surplus of GH¢576.4 million with Burkina Faso and GH¢377.6 million with Côte d’Ivoire, but a deficit of GH¢539.3 million with Togo, for the said period.
These findings align with the recently released regional report by OECD/SWAC, “Intra-regional Food Trade in West Africa: New Evidence, New Perspectives”, which hint that actual intra-regional food trade is six times higher than official statistics across West Africa—valued at approximately USD 10 billion annually (check out said report using this link).
They are also in line with the recommendations of Borderless Alliance’s recent submission to ATPC/UNECA, “Addressing the trade facilitation challenge in the context of the AfCFTA: views from West Africa”, which urges policymakers to focus on providing the necessary infrastructure and regulatory framework to facilitate cross-border trade (view here).
We look forward to working with all of you in disseminating its findings and advocating for the implementation of its recommendations, towards the facilitation of free movement of goods and people across West Africa.
View and download the report here
All info and imagery: Ghana Statistical Service (Informal Cross-Border Trade Survey – GH (Q4 2024)
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Informal Cross-Border Trade Survey – GH (Q4 2024)
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