Ghana ranks 18th in Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of total revenue-to-GDP ratio

In 2022, Ghana ranked 18th among 25 Sub-Saharan African countries in terms of total revenue-to-GDP ratio, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). Ghana's revenue-to-GDP ratio stood at 15.7%, compared to the Sub-Saharan African average of 20.1%. Namibia had the highest ratio at 31.3%, with Seychelles and Botswana following at 30.0% and 29.5%, respectively. Between the 5th and 10th positions, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Mauritius, Rwanda, and Congo Brazzaville ranked 5th through 10th.

IFS stated that Ghana's revenue mobilisation is weak, as its ratio falls significantly short of its peers. While the average total revenue and grants-to-GDP ratio across the 25 countries was 20.1%, Ghana's was 15.7%, placing it 18th out of the sample. This disparity means Ghana collected considerably less revenue than it could have.

In 2022, Ghana actually collected GHȻ96.65 billion (US$11.68 billion) in total revenue and grants, equivalent to 15.7% of GDP. However, if Ghana's ratio matched the Sub-Saharan African average of 20.1%, it would have collected an additional GHȻ26.83 billion (US$3.25 billion) in 2022.

The IFS projected that if Ghana's revenue-to-GDP ratio had been the same as Botswana's 29.5% in 2022, the country would have collected an additional GHȻ84.58 billion (US$10.23 billion). By 2025, Ghana's revenue had increased to GHȻ224.88 billion (US$17.91 billion), still representing the same 15.7% of GDP.