Accra: Ghana recorded GHS7.4 billion worth of informal cross-border trade (ICBT) during the final quarter of 2024, representing about 4.3 percent of total trade, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) said on Wednesday. Speaking at the launch of the informal cross-border trade survey, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, the Government Statistician, highlighted the contribution of unrecorded trade to the economy and emphasized integrating informal traders into mainstream economic planning.
According to Ghana News Agency, the data, compiled from 321 border points across 10 regions, is part of Ghana's first-ever comprehensive assessment of informal cross-border trade. The survey measured both imports and exports of goods and services not captured in official trade records but actively contributing to economic livelihoods, food supply, and regional integration. Dr. Iddrisu noted that the report provides visibility to traders and transporters whose activities sustain local economies but have long gone unrecorded.
From the survey, informal exports accounted for 52 percent of the GHS7.4 billion total value, while imports made up 48 percent, indicating near parity between goods moving in and out of the country. The data illustrate how informal trade acts as a stabilizing force for border communities, supporting livelihoods through micro-transactions that complement formal trade.
Dr. Iddrisu explained that the survey captured goods moving through unofficial entry points, including head portage, bicycles, motorbikes, and canoes across borders with neighboring countries Togo, C´te d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. However, the report also revealed that most informal exchanges occurred at Ghana's southern borders, notably with Togo, due to rooted traditional market linkages. Northern borders with Burkina Faso were dominated by livestock and grain exchanges, while western crossings with C´te d'Ivoire involved palm oil, cocoa products, and processed foods.
It is observed that informal trade plays a critical role in food security, job creation, and regional integration. Without it, many border communities would face economic isolation. The GSS noted that capturing informal trade data is essential for designing inclusive economic and trade policies under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). By quantifying the flow of goods outside formal systems, policymakers can better estimate Ghana's real export potential and trade balance.
Dr. Iddrisu stated that the true size of Ghana's border economy is much larger than previously thought, which will help design policies supporting traders with finance, infrastructure, and simplified customs processes. He added that the exercise aligns with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), encouraging data harmonization among member states to facilitate easier movement of goods and services within the subregion.
The report identified several challenges affecting informal traders, including limited access to credit, harassment at border posts, and lack of awareness of trade documentation. The GSS recommended stronger collaboration between national statistical offices, customs, and local governments to regularly track informal trade data. It also called for government support to modernize border markets, improve security, and provide basic infrastructure like storage facilities, weighing bridges, and rest areas for traders.