Ghana: what does Turkey export there?

In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $303 million. The ten largest product groups made up 60.9% of that total, led by Cement; Insulated Wire; Electric Generating Sets.

Ghana: who are its main trading partners?

The three largest import partners are China, USA, India. The three largest export partners are India, China, Switzerland.

Ghana: what does the country import?

The three largest import products are Cars; Delivery Trucks; Refined Petroleum. The three largest export products are Gold; Crude Petroleum; Cocoa Beans.

Ghana: how big is the economy?

Population 29 million, GDP $47 billion, and $1,641 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.592.

Ghana: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?

The trade balance is +$3.9B in net exports.

Ghana: which ports handle goods from Turkey?

The main ports are Tema, Takoradi.

Ghana: what does a shipment from Turkey need beyond the standard documents?

Goods the Ghana Standards Authority classes as high risk need a GSA import permit, and some need a pre-shipment conformity check by an authorised inspection body. Food, medicines and cosmetics must be registered with the Food and Drugs Authority. Declarations go through the ICUMS customs system.

Ghana: do Turkish goods get a preferential duty rate?

Not under a bilateral agreement: Turkey's free trade agreements in force in Africa cover Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Standard duties generally apply, and AfCFTA preferences cover goods of African origin, not Turkish goods.

Country Profiles

Ghana

The Republic of Ghana is located in the West Africa and it is bordered by Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo. Ghana’s population is 29 million and its GDP is $47 Billion. Ghana is a member state of the Non-Aligned Movement, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Group of 24 and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Ghana gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1957 and current constitution was established in 1992. English is the official language, however there are 20 recognized national languages. Its capital city is Accra.

Ghana’s main import partner is China with 23% of total imports. China is followed by the United States with 8% share. Ghana has gold resources and gold accounted for 49% of total exports in 2017. crude petroleum and cococa beans also play important role in Ghana’s economy.

The first Turkish Embassy in Accra was opened in 1964. Turkish foreign direct investment in Ghana is around $500 Million and it is expected to increase with new trade agreements. Turkish businessmen visit Ghana on many occasions to explore opportunities. Turkish construction companies have ongoing projects in Ghana such as Kotoka International Airport. Turkish importers can benefit from the cocoa business in Ghana.

Below, you can see the fact sheet, macroeconomic outlook and trade relations of Ghana with Turkey.

Four charts for Ghana. Population rises from about 19 million in 2000 to 29 million in 2017. GDP grows from about US$5 billion to a peak near US$63 billion in 2013, ending about US$58 billion. Total exports overtake imports after 2010, ending about US$17 billion against US$13 billion. Trade with Turkey runs between about US$50 and US$300 million in both directions.

Turkey's exports to Ghana in 2008 and 2017: a pie chart splitting the ten largest product groups from all others, the total value of exports, and a table naming those ten products with each one's share. The same figures are listed as a table further down this page.

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Country at a glance

Capital city: Accra
Official language: English
Population: 29 million
GDP: $47 billion
GDP per capita: $1,641
Human Development Index: 0.592

Top 3 import partners: China, USA, India
Top 3 export partners: India, China, Switzerland
Top 3 import products: Cars, Delivery Trucks, Refined Petroleum
Top 3 export products: Gold, Crude Petroleum, Cocoa Beans
Trade balance: +$3.9B in net exports

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report (2019). Figures as published, reflecting data to 2017.

Ghana: practical trade guide

What a shipment between Turkey and this market needs, how the goods get there, and what to settle before you sign.

Main ports: Tema, Takoradi
Currency: Ghanaian cedi (GHS)
Trade blocs: AfCFTA, ECOWAS
Trade agreement with Turkey: None in force: standard duties generally apply

Specific to Ghana

Goods the Ghana Standards Authority classes as high risk need a GSA import permit, and some need a pre-shipment conformity check by an authorised inspection body.
Food, medicines and cosmetics must be registered with the Food and Drugs Authority. Declarations go through the ICUMS customs system.

Standard documents

Commercial invoice and packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
Certificate of origin issued by a Turkish chamber of commerce
Insurance certificate when the Incoterm includes insurance (CIF, CIP)

Before you sign

Check the counterparty: registration, activity and references
Match the payment structure to the risk: advance or partial payment, documentary collection or a letter of credit
Confirm whether your product needs a certificate or registration in this market before production starts

Reviewed October 2026. Requirements change: confirm the current rules for your product with your forwarder, the buyer's customs broker or us before shipping.

Turkey's exports to this market

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report. Figures as published.

2008

$107 million

Top 10 products account for 62.8% of the total.

2008
Product	Share of total
Cement	15.5%
Insulated Wire	14.6%
Raw Iron Bars	9.7%
Pasta	4.1%
Passenger and Cargo Ships	4.1%
Iron Structures	3.9%
Rubber Tires	2.9%
Hot-Rolled Iron Bars	2.8%
Baked Goods	2.6%
Quicklime	2.5%

2017

$303 million

Top 10 products account for 60.9% of the total.

2017
Product	Share of total
Cement	18.4%
Insulated Wire	7.7%
Electric Generating Sets	6.6%
Nitrogenous Fertilizers	6.6%
Pasta	6.1%
Wheat Flours	4.2%
Electrical Transformers	3.6%
Iron Blocks	3.4%
Iron Structures	2.2%
Hot-Rolled Iron Bars	2.1%

Frequently asked questions

Ghana: what does Turkey export there?: In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $303 million. The ten largest product groups made up 60.9% of that total, led by Cement; Insulated Wire; Electric Generating Sets.
Ghana: who are its main trading partners?: The three largest import partners are China, USA, India. The three largest export partners are India, China, Switzerland.
Ghana: what does the country import?: The three largest import products are Cars; Delivery Trucks; Refined Petroleum. The three largest export products are Gold; Crude Petroleum; Cocoa Beans.
Ghana: how big is the economy?: Population 29 million, GDP $47 billion, and $1,641 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.592.
Ghana: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?: The trade balance is +$3.9B in net exports.
Ghana: which ports handle goods from Turkey?: The main ports are Tema, Takoradi.
Ghana: what does a shipment from Turkey need beyond the standard documents?: Goods the Ghana Standards Authority classes as high risk need a GSA import permit, and some need a pre-shipment conformity check by an authorised inspection body. Food, medicines and cosmetics must be registered with the Food and Drugs Authority. Declarations go through the ICUMS customs system.
Ghana: do Turkish goods get a preferential duty rate?: Not under a bilateral agreement: Turkey's free trade agreements in force in Africa cover Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Standard duties generally apply, and AfCFTA preferences cover goods of African origin, not Turkish goods.

Other country profiles

Reviewed by Burak Unal, Director of African Markets