Diesel and petrol emerged as Ghana’s largest imported commodities in 2025, accounting for more than 20 per cent of the country’s total import bill, according to new data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The 2025 Annual International Merchandise Trade Statistics Report shows that diesel imported for the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) was the single largest import, valued at GH¢28.46 billion and representing 11.2 per cent of total imports.
Light oils, including motor spirit (super), ranked second with imports worth GH¢23.24 billion, accounting for 9.2 per cent of the country’s import expenditure.
Combined, diesel and petrol imports amounted to GH¢51.7 billion, highlighting Ghana’s continued dependence on imported petroleum products despite efforts to expand domestic refining capacity and reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
The figures underscore the strategic importance of strengthening local refining capacity and improving Ghana’s external trade position.
Beyond petroleum products, used vehicles with engine capacities between 1,500cc and 3,000cc ranked as the third-largest import category, with a value of GH¢9.33 billion.
Crude petroleum followed in fourth place with imports valued at GH¢5.78 billion, while cement clinkers, a key raw material for cement production, completed the top five with imports worth GH¢4.76 billion.
Other commodities among Ghana’s top ten imports included off-highway dumpers, used vehicles with engine capacities between 1,000cc and 1,500cc, self-propelled bulldozers, processed cereal grains and frozen chicken.
The report indicated that the top ten imported commodities accounted for 34.3 per cent of Ghana’s total imports, while all other imported goods made up the remaining 65.7 per cent.
Overall, Ghana’s total import bill stood at GH¢253.23 billion in 2025.
The composition of the import basket reflects the continued dominance of energy products, transport equipment and industrial inputs in Ghana’s external trade.
However, the data also point to persistent structural challenges, including the country’s reliance on imported refined petroleum products and capital goods, despite ongoing investments in local refining, industrialisation and import substitution efforts.
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