Ghana’s non-traditional export (NTE) sector has recorded a major boost, with earnings rising to $5.006 billion in 2025 from $3.08 billion in 2024—an increase of more than 30 percent.
The figures were announced at the launch of the 2025 Non-Traditional Exports Statistics Report by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) at the African Trade House in Accra on Friday, April 17, 2026.
Chief Executive Officer of GEPA, Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, highlighted the consistent growth of the sector, noting that Ghanaian products are gaining increasing acceptance on international markets. He described the NTE sector as resilient, with strong potential for further expansion.
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, commended the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry for her performance.
She emphasized the vast opportunities within the sector, pointing to a gradual shift from raw material exports toward value-added production.
She added that the report would serve as a vital resource for both exporters and importers in making informed decisions.
Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, underscored export diversification as a key pillar of Ghana’s economic transformation.
Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry
She noted that the country’s export earnings have historically depended heavily on gold, crude oil, and cocoa, which accounted for more than 70 percent of total merchandise exports as recently as 2023.
According to the Minister, non-traditional exports now contribute about 16 percent of total merchandise exports.
Africa accounts for 30.36 percent of these earnings, largely driven by trade within the ECOWAS sub-region.
She described this trend as a positive indicator of Ghana’s growing competitiveness in regional markets and the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
She stressed that sustaining export growth will require improvements in production capacity, adherence to quality standards, better access to finance, and the removal of institutional bottlenecks.
The government, she said, remains committed to collaborating with key institutions such as the Ghana EXIM Bank and the Ghana Standards Authority to promote value addition, enhance industrial competitiveness, and expand market access.
Highlighting the link between agriculture and industry, the Minister pointed to the Feed the Industry Programme as a strategic effort to strengthen raw material supply for agro-processing and manufacturing.
She also called on exporters, manufacturers, and financial institutions to play active roles in accelerating growth in the sector, noting that increased value addition will drive job creation, boost industrial capacity, and improve foreign exchange earnings.
The Minister described the report as both a record of progress and a roadmap for future action, commending GEPA and Ghanaian exporters for their continued role in strengthening the country’s presence in global markets.
By 1960news.com
