Sierra Leone-Ghana Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $26.43M total volume •Sierra Leone deficit: $19.72M

Sierra LeoneGhana

$3.36M

Exports (2023)

GhanaSierra Leone

$23.07M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$19.72M

Deficit for Sierra Leone

Total Trade

$26.43M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Sierra Leone and Ghana. Green line shows exports from Sierra Leone, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Sierra Leone-Ghana commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

Sierra LeoneGhana Exports

$3.36M
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
53.9% top product
1Vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified
$1.81M
53.9% of exports
2Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, for toilet use (including medicated products)
$476,469
14.2% of exports
3Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, not for toilet use
$263,503
7.9% of exports
4Fish: frozen, mackerel (Scomber scombrus, Scomber australasicus, Scomber japonicus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
$162,016
4.8% of exports
5Electrical transformers, static converters and inductors: parts thereof
$93,283
2.8% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Sierra Leone's export portfolio to Ghana demonstrates strategic specialization, with vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

GhanaSierra Leone Imports

$23.07M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
46.9% concentration
1Sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasonings
$10.81M
46.9% of imports
2Food preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, suitable for infants or young children, put up for retail sale
$3.06M
13.3% of imports
3Soups and broths and preparations therefor
$1.43M
6.2% of imports
4Paper and paperboard: cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or paperboard
$804,053
3.5% of imports
5Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins and napkin liners for babies and similar articles, of any material
$777,242
3.4% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Sierra Leone's import pattern from Ghana reveals significant dependencyin sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasonings, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Sierra Leone demonstrates competitive strength in exportingvegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified to Ghana, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 5+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Specialized Exchange
📈

Growth Potential

The $26.43M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Sierra Leone-Ghana Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $26.43 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Sierra Leone maintains a deficit of $19.72 million
  • Export Focus: Sierra Leone's primary exports include vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified, soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, for toilet use (including medicated products), soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, not for toilet use
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Ghana include sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasonings, food preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, suitable for infants or young children, put up for retail sale, soups and broths and preparations therefor

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationConcentrated
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents an important regional trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.

Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context

Trade Evolution Timeline

2019-2023: Recent Trends

Current trade volume of $26.43M represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.

2015-2019: Growth Period

Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with Sierra Leone leveraging its comparative advantages in vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified.

2010-2015: Foundation Building

Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.

Pre-2010: Early Development

Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.

Key Economic Drivers

1

Comparative Advantage

Sierra Leone's specialization in vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modifiedcomplements Ghana's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasonings.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $26.43M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $26.43M bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.

Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook

Economic Impact Assessment

💰

Trade Volume Impact

The $26.43 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified and sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasonings demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Sierra Leone's trade deficit of $19.72 million impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Import Dependency

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, for toilet use (including medicated products) present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasonings, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
High trade imbalance may create supply chain risks
Market Competition
Global competition in vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified may affect future market positioning.

🎯Strategic Recommendations

  • Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
  • Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
  • Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
  • Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs

Market Position & Competitive Summary

The bilateral trade relationship between Sierra Leone and Ghana represents a total trade volume of $26.43 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Sierra Leone, with imports exceeding exportsby $19.72 million.

Export Strengths

Sierra Leone's exports to Ghana total $3.36 million, with competitive advantages in vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified, representing $1.81M or53.9% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Ghana amount to $23.07 million, highlighting economic interdependence in sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasonings, with Sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasonings comprising46.9% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Sierra Leone's strategic sourcing from Ghana. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.

Download Bilateral Trade Data

Access detailed trade data between Sierra Leone and Ghana in multiple formats.

Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023