China accounts for over 23% of Ghana's imports in Q4 of 2025

Ghana’s reliance on foreign markets for essential goods remains strong, with new figures highlighting how much the country depends on imports to meet local demand, especially for food, machinery and consumer products.

Data from the Ghana Statistical Service show that China dominated Ghana’s import market in the fourth quarter of 2025, accounting for GH¢14.3 billion, or 23.3 percent of total imports, making it the country’s largest single source of goods.

Other major trading partners during the period included the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium and Nigeria, pointing to Ghana’s continued dependence on a handful of countries for critical supplies such as food items and agricultural inputs.

A closer look at the figures also shows how diversified Ghana’s sourcing channels are beyond the top suppliers. For instance, Vietnam played a leading role in supplying vegetable products, highlighting Asia’s growing importance in supporting Ghana’s food needs.

Here are the countries owing Nigeria for power supply

In total, Ghana recorded an import bill of GH¢61.4 billion in the last quarter of 2025, driven largely by purchases of fuel, vehicles, machinery and consumer goods, items that are key to production, processing and distribution across sectors.

Despite the high level of imports, Ghana posted a notable trade surplus during the period, supported by strong export performance to countries like India and the United Arab Emirates.

However, exports remain largely dominated by raw materials, particularly gold and cocoa, showing a clear gap between what Ghana sells to the world and what it buys.

This pattern reflects a broader economic structure where the country continues to export primary commodities while relying on external markets for finished and semi-processed goods, including many food-related products.

With Asia contributing nearly half of Ghana’s imports, the data raises concerns about the country’s vulnerability to global supply shifts and price changes, as well as the urgency of strengthening local production and import substitution efforts.

SO/SA