African Trade Reaches $1.5 trillion in 2025, Ghana Posts Record Surplus

The African continent’s merchandise trade grew to about $1.5 trillion in 2025, a 6.1% increase driven by regional integration and improved macro‑economic stability, according to Afreximbank’s 2026 African Trade Report. Intra‑African trade rose to $213.8 billion, while overall GDP growth accelerated to 4.5% and inflation fell to 13.1%. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is identified as the main engine of this expansion, though logistics and electronic payment systems still need development.

Ghana recorded a historic trade surplus of GH¢148.3 billion in 2025, three times the 2024 level. Exports reached GH¢401.5 billion, led by gold (GH¢252.4 billion), cocoa (GH¢56.2 billion) and crude petroleum (GH¢35.3 billion), while imports totaled GH¢253.2 billion, dominated by diesel and petrol. The country’s intra‑African surplus was GH¢34.7 billion, and its trade partners spanned 216 import sources and 163 export destinations, with the UAE, India, Switzerland, South Africa and China among the top destinations.