Minister of Trade and Agribusiness, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to working closely with neighboring Côte d’Ivoire to enhance trade compliance at shared borders, aimed at curbing revenue leakages and strengthening regional trade.
The discussions on border trade compliance took place on the sidelines of the 14th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé and focused on ensuring that cross-border trade is accountable, transparent, and aligned with national and regional economic objectives.
Closing revenue loopholes at borders has become a priority for Ghana’s trade sector following recent challenges, including a ban on the land transit of certain goods that were previously estimated to evade over GH¢85 million in tax revenue. The issue gained prominence after 18 articulated trucks bound for Niger reportedly attempted to bypass land transit regulations in March 2026.
In response, the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority, imposed restrictions on nine selected goods, directing that they instead transit via seaports, where monitoring and accountability can be ensured. The move also led to the dismissal of the former Commissioner of Customs, underscoring the seriousness of revenue protection.
The engagement emphasized the need to address operational and logistical challenges affecting border trade between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to facilitate smooth and compliant trade flows. Ghana recorded a trade surplus of GH¢378 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, highlighting the economic significance of regulated cross-border trade.
Informal cross-border trade (ICBT) continues to play a substantial role in the region, with Ghana’s ICBT estimated at GH¢7.4 billion in 2025, representing 4.3 percent of total trade, according to the latest national survey. Strengthening compliance and formalizing these trade channels will unlock additional revenue and promote sustainable economic growth.
Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, and SME Promotion, welcomed Ghana’s proactive approach, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive strategy involving technical institutions to resolve border-related challenges.
Ghana will constitute a technical delegation to lead follow-up discussions and will formally communicate proposed dates for an initial technical meeting with Ivorian counterparts.
This bilateral engagement forms part of Ghana’s active economic diplomacy at MC14 and reflects the country’s commitment to advancing regional trade integration.
The initiative aligns with the objectives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area, promoting efficient border management, enhanced revenue mobilization, and reduced barriers to intra-African trade, reinforcing Ghana’s role as a leader in regional economic cooperation.
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