Ghana’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded by 6% in the second quarter of 2026. The digital economy, particularly the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sub-sector, was the primary driver of this economic growth.
This 6% growth in Q2 2026 represents a slight deceleration from the 6.6% recorded in the second quarter of 2025. Slower growth in the agriculture sector, which moderated to 3.9% from 7.1% a year earlier, contributed to this overall slowdown. Industry also saw a marginal slowdown, growing 8% compared to 9.5% in the previous year, though its Q2 2026 growth of 4.3% was an increase from 2.4% in Q2 2025.
The sustained performance of the digital sector highlights Ghana’s evolving economic landscape, moving towards technology-driven expansion. This trend aligns with the government's broader agenda to foster a digital economy. The robust growth in ICT underscores a strategic shift in economic drivers, moving beyond traditional sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. This digital emphasis is crucial for Ghana's long-term economic resilience and competitiveness in the global market.
Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, the Government Statistician, confirmed these figures during a press briefing in Accra. He stated, “In real terms, we produced GHS 51.3 billion worth of goods and services, up from GHS 48.4 billion a year earlier.” Dr. Iddrisu emphasized that the technology sector expansion drove nearly half of all economic growth in the second quarter.
This strong digital performance suggests a continued focus on technology infrastructure and innovation will be vital for Ghana’s future economic trajectory. Policymakers will likely consider further investments and regulatory frameworks to sustain this momentum. Businesses and investors will closely watch how these digital gains translate into broader economic benefits and job creation across the country. The government must also address vulnerabilities in sectors like fishing and hospitality.
The Services sector, which includes ICT, contributed 57.6% of all Q2 2026 growth. ICT itself recorded an impressive 30.9% year-on-year growth, up from 21.3% in the previous year. This marks a consistent pattern, with the ICT sector achieving double-digit growth for the past three years. This sustained expansion confirms its role as a foundational pillar of Ghana’s economy.
Industry, accounting for 23.5% of growth, saw a significant turnaround in oil and gas dynamics. The sub-sector shifted from a 29% contraction in Q2 2025 to a remarkable 22.4% growth in Q2 2026. This 51 percentage-point directional shift contributed 12.8% of total GDP growth independently. Manufacturing expanded by 6.6%, an increase from 5.4% a year earlier. Construction grew by 4.4%, though this was a slowdown from 6.5% in Q2 2025. Water and sewage was the only weak spot in industry, contracting by 0.6%.
Agriculture’s growth moderated to 3.9% in Q2 2026 from 7.1% a year earlier. Forestry and logging performed strongly, growing 10.7% compared to 2.7% in 2025. The Crops sub-sector expanded by 5.2%, down from 8%, but still contributed 13.8% of total growth. Livestock maintained steady growth at 5.9%. However, the fishing sub-sector experienced a significant contraction of 24.7%, a 25.6 percentage-point change from the previous year. This contraction reduced overall economic growth by 4.6%.
Dr. Iddrisu noted that the fishing sector’s collapse would directly impact coastal communities through reduced livelihoods. He also highlighted that overall GDP grew 6.2% in the first half of 2026, slightly below the 6.4% recorded in the first half of 2025. Non-oil GDP decelerated to 5.9% from 8.2%. While the strong digital sector and petroleum recovery drove growth, critical vulnerabilities in fishing, hospitality, and education require urgent policy attention.