Why Ghana's export story is no longer about raw cocoa
Ghana's export story is no longer about raw cocoa, as new data suggests the country's export story is quietly changing. The recently released 2025 Non‑Traditional Exports (NTE) Statistics Report points to a structural shift away from the export of raw produce toward value addition, processing and deeper industrial activity. In 2025, Ghana's non‑traditional exports reached US$5.01 billion, representing a 30.7 per cent year‑on‑year increase.
In 2025, it was processed cocoa products-not raw beans-that drove export growth. Cocoa paste alone generated nearly US$790 million, while cocoa butter and cocoa powder recorded growth rates exceeding 100 per cent compared to the previous year. In 2025, manufactured and semi‑processed goods accounted for approximately 83 per cent of total NTE earnings, far surpassing agriculture and handicrafts. Strong export performance was recorded in products such as: aluminium plates, sheets and coils; articles of plastics; canned tuna; and shea‑based products. These outcomes reflect years of policy emphasis on industrialisation, import substitution and downstream value addition under initiatives such as the Accelerated Export Development Programme (AEDP) and the broader 24‑Hour Economy agenda.
Quick Summary
Ghana's export economy has long been synonymous with raw cocoa-but that may be changing. New data indicates a move toward value addition and deeper industrial activity, hinting at a potential reshaping of Ghana's long-term economic prospects.
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