Ghana's informal cross‑border trade reaches GH¢31bn in 2025

Ghana’s informal cross‑border trade with Togo, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire hit GH¢31 billion in the first three quarters of 2025, overtaking the GH¢20.1 billion recorded through formal channels. The Ghana Statistical Service said informal trade accounted for about 6 % of the country’s total trade in that period, with tricycles – locally called “aboboyaa” – serving as the primary transport for small‑scale traders moving goods across border points. The data showed informal trade dominated exchanges with Togo (up to 78 % share) and Côte d’Ivoire (over three‑fifths of total trade), while also becoming the main conduit for Burkina Faso after the first quarter. Ghana maintained a trade surplus in both formal and informal streams, though the informal surplus fell sharply in Q3. The GSS recommended simplifying registration and licensing for small traders, improving border‑post infrastructure, and enhancing data sharing under the African Continental Free Trade Area to better support the informal sector.