Informal cross-border trade between Ghana and its three neighbouring countries reached GH¢7.4billion in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024).
This represents 4.3 percent of the country’s total trade for the period, according to findings from the Ghana Statistical Service’s (GSS) maiden Informal Cross-Border Trade (ICBT) Survey.
The survey covered October to December 2024 and captured trade activities taking place outside formal Customs systems along 321 border points across ten regions, using direct observation and trader interviews.
Trade flows
The report revealed that informal trade continues to dominate the country’s commerce with its immediate neighbours – Togo, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire.
Informal trade accounted for 61.2 percent of total trade with Togo, 55.7 percent with Côte d’Ivoire and 37.1 percent with Burkina Faso.
The data show a trade surplus of GH¢576.4million with Burkina Faso and GH¢377.6million with Côte d’Ivoire, but a deficit of GH¢539.3million with Togo.
Formal trade still dwarfs informal trade overall, with formal trade valued at GH¢165.3billion compared to GH¢7.4billion in informal trade during the quarter.
In terms of import and export, informal exports accounted for 4.1 percent of total exports while informal imports represented 4.7 percent of total imports.
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Top traded products
The ICBT survey shows that beverages, food items, petroleum products, livestock and manufactured goods dominated the list of products traded informally.
The main informal exports were alcoholic drinks valued at GH¢187million, soft drinks at GH¢170million, petrol and second-hand clothes. The main informal imports were cooking oil valued at GH¢270million, mattresses at GH¢171million, rice at GH¢143million and livestock at GH¢159million.
Food products made up 49.6 percent of all informal imports and 41 percent of informal exports, reinforcing the central role of informal trade in regional food distribution and food security.
Region and border routes
Upper East Region emerged as the dominant corridor for informal trade, recording GH¢1.27billion in informal exports – about 15 times higher than Savannah Region, which was the least active with GH¢82.9million.
Paga retained its position as Ghana’s busiest informal trade route, topping both informal exports (GH¢168.5million) and imports (GH¢116.1million). Other highly active borders included Kulungugu, Namoo Doone, Aflao Main, Nakaku No.2, Dekeme/Beat 6 and Chief Palace (Volta Region).
The report also showed that tricycles and motorbikes were the main modes of transport used in informal trade, reflecting the small-scale, high-frequency nature of border trading.
Gender participation
The survey highlighted notable gender trends within informal trade activities. Men dominated transport roles in exports, accounting for 65.7 percent, while women played a stronger role in imports, representing 41.3 percent of transporters – particularly in the Savannah, Northern and Western Regions.
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Relevance
Presenting the findings, Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu said these results underscore the economic significance of informal trade and a need for data-driven policy.
“By measuring informal trade systematically, we are strengthening the foundation for better economic planning. These results ensure that national policy captures the full range of economic activity, not just what passes through formal systems,” he said.
He added that informal trade is “part of everyday life in Ghana, providing livelihoods and supporting regional markets”.
The report confirms that informal trade is a critical but under-recognised part of Ghana’s economy, supporting cross-border commerce, food supply and livelihoods in border communities.
GSS says this data will help bridge the knowledge gap between formal and informal trade sectors and guide policy under AfCFTA implementation.
“Integrating it into national planning will help bridge the gap between formal and informal trade and improve the accuracy of trade statistics, promote inclusive economic policies and strengthen Ghana’s participation in regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“The findings confirm that informal trade is an important part of Ghana’s economy. It connects producers and consumers across borders, supports food availability and provides income for many households, particularly in border communities where formal employment opportunities are limited. At the same time, informal trade presents policy challenges including limited accuracy in trade measurement, reduced tax collection and exposure of traders to risks from inadequate regulation, weak infrastructure and limited access to finance,” GSS stated.
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