In 2024, Ghana’s Industrial Arts and Crafts sub-sector saw a 23% increase in export earnings, contributing 3% to the country’s total non-traditional exports, up from 2.43% in 2023, as reported by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) in the 2024 Non-Traditional Export (NTE) Statistics Report.
This growth was primarily driven by kente products, which experienced an impressive 523% rise in exports, highlighting the growing international demand for Ghanaian textiles. Handicrafts also saw a significant 440% increase, while bamboo and cane furniture exports grew by 274%.
Other notable performers included beads, which grew by 114%, ceramic products with a 23% increase, and hides and skins, which contributed 26%.
However, the sector experienced declines in some areas, with mats dropping by 32%, statuettes by 31%, and traditional musical instruments by 19%, suggesting shifts in global demand.
GEPA attributes the overall growth to the increasing global interest in handmade, sustainable, and culturally rich products, emphasizing the need for continued investment in product development and market access to ensure the sector’s sustained success.
