Export earnings rise to $2.54bn as Trade Ministry reports growth in industry and jobs

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has reported strong growth in exports, industrial revitalisation and expanded support for businesses and job creation since the ruling government took office.

Presenting the Ministry’s scorecard at the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, she said the outcomes reflect President John Dramani Mahama’s vision to accelerate manufacturing, position agribusiness as a driver of transformation, expand exports and create sustainable employment, particularly for the youth.

According to the Minister, Non-Traditional Export earnings reached US$2.54 billion in the first half of 2025, representing a 41.21 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2024. She attributed the growth to value addition, market diversification and targeted export support implemented under the Accelerated Export Development Programme. She also noted that Ghana recorded its first-ever road shipment of mangoes to Morocco, while exporters secured hundreds of millions of dollars in orders at major international trade fairs.

Hon. Ofosu-Adjare highlighted market access gains, including a three-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and ongoing negotiations with China under an Early Harvest Agreement aimed at expanding duty-free access for Ghanaian products. She added that Ghana’s participation in global platforms such as the World Expo in Japan and GITEX Dubai has strengthened investor confidence and created export opportunities.

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On industrialisation, the Minister announced the completion of strategic manufacturing policies covering textiles, pharmaceuticals, automotive components and special economic zones. She said efforts are also underway to revive defunct state-owned enterprises and establish new agro-processing facilities across the country.

She further disclosed that the Ghana EXIM Bank disbursed GHS304 million in 2025 to support trade and industrial financing. In addition, programmes such as the Apprenticeship to Entrepreneurship initiative trained more than 155,000 young people, with thousands receiving start-up kits and access to finance.

The Minister also outlined measures to promote Made-in-Ghana products, empower women in trade and agribusiness, and reform business regulations to improve the investment climate.

Looking ahead, she said the Ministry will prioritise expanding agro-processing, strengthening export competitiveness, operationalising a 24-hour business environment and supporting Ghanaian firms to fully leverage opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).