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Economy


Why Ghanaians Still Pay the Most for DSTV Premium in Africa, despite a Stronger Cedi
In 2025, DSTV Premium subscribers in Ghana are paying a steep $82 per month , making it the most expensive DSTV Premium package on the continent . A detailed breakdown of the pricing reveals that taxes account for a substantial $18.5 , but that’s only part of the story. 🔍 DSTV Price Breakdown Across Selected African Countries Why Ghanaians Still Pay the Most for DSTV Premium in Africa Despite a Stronger Cedi Country Base Price (USD) Tax (USD) Total Price (USD) Ghana 63.5 18.
bernard boateng
Aug 4, 20252 min read


Ahead of Ghana’s Mid-Year Budget, Here’s What’s Driving the 2025 Revenue Plan
As Ghana’s Finance Minister prepares to present the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review , one key question looms: Where will the revenue come from? Earlier this year, the government unveiled a bold plan to generate GHS 10.28 billion in additional revenue in 2025 through a mix of new taxes, revised rates, and one-off payments. With inflationary pressures and public spending demands rising, this visual breakdown gives us a preview of the government’s fiscal playbook going into tomorro
bernard boateng
Jul 23, 20252 min read


Côte d’Ivoire Leads Global Cocoa Production in 2023: A Look at the Numbers
Cocoa remains one of the most economically significant crops worldwide, fueling a multi-billion-dollar chocolate industry. According to 2023 data from the FAO, global cocoa bean production is heavily concentrated in West Africa with Côte d’Ivoire alone contributing an astounding 42% of the total output. Global Cocoa Bean Production 2023 Côte d’Ivoire: The Undisputed Leader As of 2023, Côte d’Ivoire produced 2.38 million tonnes of cocoa beans, accounting for over two-fifths of
bernard boateng
Jul 11, 20252 min read


From 13th to 1st: How Star Oil Became Ghana’s Top Oil Marketing Firm in Just Five Years
Discover how Star Oil Ghana rose from 13ᵗʰ to 1ˢᵗ place in Ghana’s competitive oil marketing sector driven by strategic growth, market share gains, and strong consumer reach. Introduction: Ghana’s oil marketing sector is crowded with over 200 registered firms vying for consumer trust and market share. But in just five years, one company has emerged as the clear front-runner: Star Oil Ghana . With a remarkable rise from the 13th position in 2020 to the top spot in 2025, Star O
bernard boateng
Jul 9, 20252 min read


How Africa Connects: A Deep Dive into Mobile Data Costs Across the Continent
Mobile internet has become a lifeline across Africa powering communication, education, entrepreneurship, and governance. Yet, the price of access varies widely across the continent. A new ranking highlights just how much consumers pay for 1 GB of mobile data over 30 days. Cost of Mobile Data in Africa Ghana Among the Most Affordable According to data from bestbroadbanddeals.co.uk , Ghana is the 3rd most affordable country in Africa , offering 1 GB of mobile data at only $0.40
bernard boateng
Jul 2, 20252 min read


Tracing Ghana’s FDI Trends: 25 Years of Investment Under Four Administrations
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) remains a key pillar in Ghana’s economic growth strategy. From just $114.9 million in 2000 to a high of $3.9 billion in 2019, the country's ability to attract foreign capital has evolved significantly across presidential administrations. Ghana's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) 2000 - 2024 1. The Kufuor Era (2000–2008): Foundations Amid Global Repositioning Kicking off the millennium, Ghana's FDI was relatively modest, with inflows below $1 bill
bernard boateng
Jul 1, 20251 min read


Fuel Prices in Africa: A Deep Dive into the Disparities Driving the Pump Price
As of June 30, 2025, fuel prices across Africa present a revealing map of economic, geopolitical, and supply chain realities. From Libya's ultra-low gasoline price of $0.028 per liter to the Central African Republic's staggering $1.858, the range is not just wide, it’s systemic. Our latest Finex Insights visual explores the causes behind these disparities and what they reveal about Africa’s energy landscape. Fuel Prices in Africa North Africa: A Fuel Price Haven Countries lik
bernard boateng
Jun 30, 20252 min read


Why DSTV Compact is Costing Ghanaians More in 2025, Even as the Cedi Stabilizes.
Ghanaians have seen steady increases in the local prices of everyday services but the latest data on DSTV Compact subscriptions reveals a sharp spike in 2025, both in Ghana cedis and US dollar equivalents. What’s causing this surge, and what does it tell us about inflation, FX policy, and consumer cost burdens? DSTV Compact Prices (GHS & USD Equivalent) 1. A 5-Year Price Journey From ₵140 in 2020 to ₵380 in 2025, DSTV Compact subscription prices have nearly tripled. While the
bernard boateng
Jun 18, 20252 min read


Why Domestic Airfare in Ghana Has Surged by Over 245% Since 2022.
Domestic air travel in Ghana has become significantly more expensive. A one-way ticket from Accra to Kumasi, which cost just about ¢455 in January 2022, now averages ¢1,570 in 2025. This represents a staggering 245% increase over three years, making domestic air travel less accessible for many Ghanaians. Domestic Air Ticket Prices in Ghana The Numbers Data from Africa World Airlines and Passion Air show a consistent rise in ticket prices: January 2022: ¢455 average (Accra to
bernard boateng
Jun 12, 20252 min read


Which GBP Remittance Service Gives You the Most Cedis? Tracking the Shifts and Spotting the Outliers
In just under two weeks, the GBP-to-GHS remittance rates across leading money transfer services have shifted and in some cases, dramatically . While most services hovered within a narrow band near ₵13.78 per pound, a few players stood out as outliers offering significantly more value for your pound. Tracking GBP Movements of Remittance Services in Ghana 🔍 What’s the Data Telling Us? The chart below compares GBP-to-GHS rates from 11 services as of May 29 and June 11, 2025 .
bernard boateng
Jun 11, 20252 min read


Ghana’s Data Bundle Volumes Are Increasing – What You’ll Get for ₵399–₵400 Starting July 1, 2025
From July 1, 2025, Ghana’s three major telecom operators: MTN, Telecel, and AT will increase their data bundle volumes for the ₵399–₵400 price range, reflecting changes in consumer demand and competitive market dynamics. New Data Bundles starting July 1, 2025 🔁 What’s Changing? According to Hon. Sam George (Minister, Communication), the new bundle updates are as follows: Telco Price (₵) Old Volume (GB) New Volume (GB) % Increase GB per ₵ MTN 399 92.88 214 130.3% 0.536 Telec
bernard boateng
Jun 10, 20252 min read


Are Ghanaian Banks Getting More Competitive on Forex? USD Spread Trends Say Yes
The margin between the buying and selling rate of the US Dollar known as the “spread” is a key metric in determining how competitive a bank is in the forex market. A narrower spread typically signals a better deal for customers and tighter market competition. A recent review of spreads across 23 Ghanaian banks offers fascinating insights into the evolving dynamics of the foreign exchange market. USD Spread by Bank Headline Insights (As of June 10, 2025) UMB Bank has the hig
bernard boateng
Jun 10, 20251 min read


Ghana’s Gold-for-Oil Program: A Bold Move or Expensive Misstep?
Introduction In 2023, Ghana made headlines with its unconventional approach to fuel importation, trading gold instead of U.S. dollars under the “Gold for Oil” program. The aim? To reduce the strain on foreign exchange reserves and stabilize a weakening cedi. But as the numbers roll in, the nation is left evaluating the real cost of this gold-powered gamble. Ghana's Gold for Oil Program What Was the Objective? Ghana’s economy has long grappled with forex shortages that strain
bernard boateng
Jun 9, 20252 min read


Fuel Levy vs. E-Levy: Ghana’s Tax Experiments and Their Impact on Citizens
In recent years, Ghana has introduced two significant levies aimed at addressing fiscal challenges: the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) and the GH₵1 Fuel Levy . While both were designed to bolster government revenues, their implementation, public reception, and impacts have varied considerably. This article delves into a comparative analysis of these two levies, highlighting their objectives, outcomes, and the lessons they offer. Fuel Levy vs. E-Levy ⚙️ Objectives and Impl
bernard boateng
Jun 4, 20252 min read


Which Platform Gives You the Best GHS for your Pounds?
For Ghanaians in the UK sending money back home, remittance platforms aren’t just digital tools, they’re lifelines. But not all platforms give you equal value. In our latest edition of Ghana in Numbers , we analyzed the GHS equivalent one would receive for a standard £1,000 remittance on June 2, 2025, across 11 popular services. Comparing Transfer Rates for Pound Remittance in Ghana Key Findings: Send App offers the best return: GHS 14,230 AfriEx follows closely at GHS 14,0
bernard boateng
Jun 2, 20251 min read


81% of Ghana’s GHS 186 billion revenue in 2024 came from taxes!
In 2024, Ghana’s government recorded total revenue of GHS 186 billion , a significant portion of which 81% or GHS 151.16 billion came from taxes. These included levies on income and property, domestic goods and services, international trade, and more. Breakdown of Revenue Sources of the Government of Ghana in 2024 Breakdown of Revenue Sources The single largest component was Taxes on Income and Property , amounting to GHS 78.74 billion . This was followed by Taxes on Domesti
bernard boateng
May 31, 20251 min read


What Ghana Eats, But Imports
In 2024, Ghana spent an astounding GHS 39 billion importing food items to meet domestic demand. Despite a strong agricultural identity, the nation continues to rely heavily on foreign-sourced staples, raising questions about food security, domestic production capacity, and policy direction. TOP 10 FOOD PRODUCT IMPORTS, 2024 Top Imports At the top of the list is cereal grains (GHS 3.37bn) , followed closely by guts, bladders & stomachs of animals (GHS 2.69bn) and frozen meat
bernard boateng
May 30, 20251 min read


MTN vs Telecel: Which Fixed Broadband Bundle Gives You More Value in Ghana?
As internet access becomes increasingly central to work, education, and entertainment in Ghana, broadband pricing and value are now under greater public scrutiny. Two of the largest telecom providers: MTN Ghana and Telecel Ghana offer flexible broadband bundle plans based on how much you’re willing to spend. But which provider gives you more data for your money? MTN and Telecel Broadband Package Comparison Data-Driven Insights : The visual from Finex Insights offers a direc
bernard boateng
May 30, 20252 min read


Which Remittance Services Offer the Best Value for Ghanaian Recipients in 2025?
In 2025, remittances continue to be a critical financial lifeline for many households in Ghana. As diaspora communities send funds back home, the choice of remittance service directly affects how much recipients receive with differences large enough to fund basic necessities or pay off monthly bills. Comparing remittance services in Ghana A new comparative analysis by Finex Insights using rates from Cedirates.com as of May 29, 2025, shows substantial variations in what GHS a
bernard boateng
May 29, 20251 min read


How Much Are You Really Paying for Dollars? A Deep Dive into Ghanaian Banks’ USD Spreads
Currency exchange is one of the most frequently used financial services in Ghana—but how transparent and fair are the charges? A new analysis by Finex Insights reveals significant disparities in the spread (difference between buying and selling rates) of USD across Ghana’s top banks. USD FX Spread by Banks in Ghana Understanding the Spread The spread represents the margin banks place between the price at which they buy and sell foreign currency. It reflects transaction costs
bernard boateng
May 28, 20252 min read
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