Josiah
Ghana recorded its highest-ever export earnings for the first half of a year, with total export receipts reaching $18.2 billion by the end of June 2026, according to the latest Bank of Ghana Summary of Economic and Financial Data.
The latest figures show a significant increase from the $13.7 billion recorded during the same period in 2025, driven largely by strong growth in gold exports. Gold remained Ghana’s leading export commodity, generating $12.5 billion in revenue, up sharply from $8.3 billion in the first six months of last year, highlighting the sector’s continued importance to the country’s external trade performance.
Cocoa exports also contributed to the improved results, with earnings rising slightly to $2.2 billion from $2.1 billion a year earlier. Crude oil exports generated $1.7 billion, while other export commodities earned $1.7 billion, a slight decline from the $1.8 billion recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
On the import side, Ghana spent about $9.4 billion on goods during the first half of 2026, representing a marginal increase compared to the same period last year. Petroleum imports accounted for $3.3 billion of the total import bill.
The strong export performance widened Ghana’s trade surplus to $8.8 billion by the end of June 2026, compared to $5.7 billion in the first half of 2025. The improved trade balance is expected to strengthen the country’s foreign exchange reserves and support the stability of the cedi as export earnings continue to outpace import expenditure.
Looking ahead, Ghana’s external position could receive an additional boost, with the country expecting to receive more than $500 million in development partner inflows before the end of the third quarter of 2026, further enhancing its foreign exchange reserve position.
Source: Omanghana.com
