Omanghana
South Africa became Ghana’s second-largest source of imports in the second quarter of 2026, supplying GH¢11.8 billion worth of goods as purchases of machinery and electrical equipment increased sharply.
Figures from the Ghana Statistical Service’s quarterly trade report placed South Africa behind China, which supplied goods valued at GH¢20.4 billion between April and June. China retained the top position despite its share of Ghana’s imports declining from 29.7 per cent in the first quarter to 21.5 per cent.
Machinery and electrical equipment accounted for 92.3 per cent of Ghana’s imports from South Africa. Pump parts alone were valued at GH¢10 billion, equivalent to 42.5 per cent of all goods Ghana imported from African countries during the quarter.
The substantial machinery purchases contributed to Ghana recording a GH¢4.4 billion trade deficit with the rest of Africa. Exports to the continent totaled GH¢19.2 billion, while imports reached GH¢23.6 billion.
Excluding the GH¢10 billion pump-parts import line, Ghana would have retained a trade surplus with Africa.
South Africa also remained Ghana’s largest African export destination, purchasing GH¢10.8 billion worth of goods, or 56.5 per cent of Ghana’s exports to the continent.
Gold accounted for 99.8 per cent of those exports, highlighting the contrasting composition of bilateral trade: Ghana’s sales were overwhelmingly concentrated in gold, while its purchases were dominated by machinery and electrical equipment.
The shift formed part of a wider rise in Ghana’s import spending. Total imports increased by 47.5 per cent between the first and second quarters, while exports declined by 1.6 per cent.
Consequently, the country’s overall trade surplus narrowed by approximately 70 per cent, falling from US$4.3 billion to US$1.3 billion. Ghana recorded exports of GH¢108.5 billion against imports of GH¢94.7 billion, retaining a global surplus despite the deficit in its trade with Africa.
Source: Omanghana
