Key information about Ghana External Debt

• Ghana External Debt reached 27.9 USD bn in Oct 2024, compared with 32.0 USD bn in the previous month.
• Ghana External Debt: USD mn data is updated monthly, available from Jan 2012 to Oct 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 32.0 USD bn in Sep 2024 and a record low of 7.5 USD bn in Aug 2012.

The Bank of Ghana provides monthly External Debt in USD. External Debt covers Public sector only.


Related information about Ghana External Debt

• In the latest reports of Ghana, Current Account recorded a surplus of 998.5 USD mn in Jun 2024.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 380.3 USD mn in Mar 2024.
• Ghana Direct Investment Abroad fell by 4.7 USD mn in Mar 2024.
• Its Foreign Portfolio Investment fell by 308.1 USD mn in Dec 2021.
• The country's Nominal GDP was reported at 17.8 USD bn in Sep 2024.

External debt stocks, total (DOD, current US$) in Ghana was reported at 43741980956 USD in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ghana - External debt stocks, total (DOD, current US$) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on August of 2025.

Key information about Ghana External Debt: % of GDP

• Ghana External Debt accounted for 37.4 % of the country's Nominal GDP in 2023, compared with the ratio of 39.1 % in the previous year.
• Ghana External Debt: % of Nominal GDP data is updated yearly, available from Dec 1999 to Dec 2023.
• The data reached an all-time high of 121.7 % in Dec 2000 and a record low of 7.0 % in Dec 2006.

CEIC calculates External Debt as % of Nominal GDP from annual External Debt and quarterly Nominal GDP. The Bank of Ghana provides External Debt in USD based on BPM5. Ghana Statistical Service provides Nominal GDP in local currency based on SNA 2008. The Bank of Ghana average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. External Debt figures only include Public debt. External Debt as % of Nominal GDP prior to 2006 is calculated from Nominal GDP sourced from the World Bank.


Related information about Ghana External Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports of Ghana, Current Account recorded a surplus of 1.4 USD bn in Dec 2024.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 380.3 USD mn in Mar 2024.
• Ghana Direct Investment Abroad fell by 4.7 USD mn in Mar 2024.
• Its Foreign Portfolio Investment fell by 308.1 USD mn in Dec 2021.
• The country's External Debt reached 27,908.7 in Oct 2024.
• The country's Nominal GDP was reported at 21.2 USD bn in Dec 2024.

Debt service on external debt, total (TDS, current US$) in Ghana was reported at 1293115436 USD in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ghana - Debt service on external debt, total (TDS, current US$) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Ghana External Debt: Total External Debt per Capita data was reported at 0.001 USD mn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.001 USD mn for 2022. Ghana External Debt: Total External Debt per Capita data is updated yearly, averaging 0.000 USD mn from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.001 USD mn in 2021 and a record low of 0.000 USD mn in 1971. Ghana External Debt: Total External Debt per Capita data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank.IDS: External Debt: Debt Outstanding, Debt Ratio and Debt Service: Annual. Total external debt is debt owed to nonresidents repayable in currency, goods, or services. Total external debt is the sum of public, publicly guaranteed, and private nonguaranteed long-term debt, use of IMF credit, and short-term debt. Short-term debt includes all debt having an original maturity of one year or less and interest in arrears on long-term debt. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

Present value of external debt (current US$) in Ghana was reported at 29240959315 USD in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ghana - Present value of external debt - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on August of 2025.

Ghana GH: External Debt: NTR: Total data was reported at -1.173 USD bn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of -2.534 USD bn for 2022. Ghana GH: External Debt: NTR: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 182.401 USD mn from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.236 USD bn in 2020 and a record low of -4.045 USD bn in 2019. Ghana GH: External Debt: NTR: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank.IDS: External Debt: Net Flows and Net Transfers: Annual. Net transfers on external debt are net flows minus interest payments during the year; negative transfers show net transfers made by the borrower to the creditor during the year. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

Ghana GH: External Debt: DOD: PS: Bilateral Concessional data was reported at 865.926 USD mn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 804.676 USD mn for 2022. Ghana GH: External Debt: DOD: PS: Bilateral Concessional data is updated yearly, averaging 246.220 USD mn from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 865.926 USD mn in 2023 and a record low of 56.025 USD mn in 1970. Ghana GH: External Debt: DOD: PS: Bilateral Concessional data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank.IDS: External Debt: Debt Outstanding, Debt Ratio and Debt Service: Annual. Public sector bilateral debt includes loans from governments and their agencies (including central banks), loans from autonomous bodies, and direct loans from official export credit agencies. Concessional debt is defined as loans with an original grant element of 35 percent or more. The grant element of a loan is the grant equivalent expressed as a percentage of the amount committed. It is used as a measure of the overall cost of borrowing. The grant equivalent of a loan is its commitment (present) value, less the discounted present value of its contractual debt service; conventionally, future service payments are discounted at 5 percent. Principal repayments are actual amounts of principal (amortization) paid by the borrower in currency, goods, or services in the year specified. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

Ghana GH: External Debt: COM: Commitments: Bilateral Creditors data was reported at 12.435 USD mn in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 200.489 USD mn for 2022. Ghana GH: External Debt: COM: Commitments: Bilateral Creditors data is updated yearly, averaging 121.252 USD mn from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.260 USD bn in 2011 and a record low of 0.000 USD mn in 2017. Ghana GH: External Debt: COM: Commitments: Bilateral Creditors data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank.IDS: External Debt: Commitments and Currency: Annual. Bilateral commitments are the total amount of long-term loans for which contracts were signed in the year specified. Long-term external debt is defined as debt that has an original or extended maturity of more than one year and that is owed to nonresidents by residents of an economy and repayable in currency, goods, or services. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

Ghana GH: External Debt: DOD: PPG: Multilateral Concessional data was reported at 4.359 USD bn in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.404 USD bn for 2022. Ghana GH: External Debt: DOD: PPG: Multilateral Concessional data is updated yearly, averaging 2.072 USD bn from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.866 USD bn in 2004 and a record low of 9.345 USD mn in 1970. Ghana GH: External Debt: DOD: PPG: Multilateral Concessional data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank.IDS: External Debt: Debt Outstanding, Debt Ratio and Debt Service: Annual. Public and publicly guaranteed multilateral loans include loans and credits from the World Bank, regional development banks, and other multilateral and intergovernmental agencies. Excluded are loans from funds administered by an international organization on behalf of a single donor government; these are classified as loans from governments. Concessional debt is defined as loans with an original grant element of 35 percent or more. The grant element of a loan is the grant equivalent expressed as a percentage of the amount committed. It is used as a measure of the overall cost of borrowing. The grant equivalent of a loan is its commitment (present) value, less the discounted present value of its contractual debt service; conventionally, future service payments are discounted at 5 percent. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

Ghana GH: External Debt: TDS: PPG: Multilateral Concessional data was reported at 157.859 USD mn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 153.705 USD mn for 2022. Ghana GH: External Debt: TDS: PPG: Multilateral Concessional data is updated yearly, averaging 24.398 USD mn from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 157.859 USD mn in 2023 and a record low of 0.053 USD mn in 1970. Ghana GH: External Debt: TDS: PPG: Multilateral Concessional data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank.IDS: External Debt: Debt Outstanding, Debt Ratio and Debt Service: Annual. Public and publicly guaranteed multilateral loans include loans and credits from the World Bank, regional development banks, and other multilateral and intergovernmental agencies. Excluded are loans from funds administered by an international organization on behalf of a single donor government; these are classified as loans from governments. Concessional debt is defined as loans with an original grant element of 35 percent or more. The grant element of a loan is the grant equivalent expressed as a percentage of the amount committed. It is used as a measure of the overall cost of borrowing. The grant equivalent of a loan is its commitment (present) value, less the discounted present value of its contractual debt service; conventionally, future service payments are discounted at 5 percent. Debt service payments are the sum of principal repayments and interest payments actually made in the year specified. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

Ghana GH: External Debt: DOD: CB: Multilateral Concessional data was reported at 776.605 USD mn in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 791.903 USD mn for 2022. Ghana GH: External Debt: DOD: CB: Multilateral Concessional data is updated yearly, averaging 49.348 USD mn from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2023, with 40 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 905.664 USD mn in 2017 and a record low of 1.588 USD mn in 1984. Ghana GH: External Debt: DOD: CB: Multilateral Concessional data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank.IDS: External Debt: Debt Outstanding, Debt Ratio and Debt Service: Annual. Central bank multilateral loans include loans and credits from the World Bank, regional development banks, and other multilateral and intergovernmental agencies. Excluded are loans from funds administered by an international organization on behalf of a single donor government; these are classified as loans from governments. The central bank is the financial institution (or institutions) that exercises control over key aspects of the financial system. The monetary authority, normally the agency that issues currency and holds the country’s international reserves. Concessional debt is defined as loans with an original grant element of 35 percent or more. The grant element of a loan is the grant equivalent expressed as a percentage of the amount committed. It is used as a measure of the overall cost of borrowing. The grant equivalent of a loan is its commitment (present) value, less the discounted present value of its contractual debt service; conventionally, future service payments are discounted at 5 percent. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

Ghana GH: External Debt: NTR: PS: Multilateral Concessional data was reported at -118.039 USD mn in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of -100.034 USD mn for 2022. Ghana GH: External Debt: NTR: PS: Multilateral Concessional data is updated yearly, averaging 167.480 USD mn from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 517.731 USD mn in 2011 and a record low of -118.039 USD mn in 2023. Ghana GH: External Debt: NTR: PS: Multilateral Concessional data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank.IDS: External Debt: Net Flows and Net Transfers: Annual. Public sector multilateral loans include loans and credits from the World Bank, regional development banks, and other multilateral and intergovernmental agencies. Excluded are loans from funds administered by an international organization on behalf of a single donor government; these are classified as loans from governments. Concessional debt is defined as loans with an original grant element of 35 percent or more. The grant element of a loan is the grant equivalent expressed as a percentage of the amount committed. It is used as a measure of the overall cost of borrowing. The grant equivalent of a loan is its commitment (present) value, less the discounted present value of its contractual debt service; conventionally, future service payments are discounted at 5 percent. Net transfers are net flows minus interest payments during the year; negative transfers show net transfers made by the borrower to the creditor during the year. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

Ghana GH: External Debt: DOD: OPS: Bilateral Concessional data was reported at 44.625 USD mn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 43.075 USD mn for 2022. Ghana GH: External Debt: DOD: OPS: Bilateral Concessional data is updated yearly, averaging 6.348 USD mn from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 33 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 53.833 USD mn in 2020 and a record low of 0.000 USD mn in 2012. Ghana GH: External Debt: DOD: OPS: Bilateral Concessional data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank.IDS: External Debt: Debt Outstanding, Debt Ratio and Debt Service: Annual. Other public sector bilateral debt includes loans from governments and their agencies (including central banks), loans from autonomous bodies, and direct loans from official export credit agencies. Concessional debt is defined as loans with an original grant element of 35 percent or more. The grant element of a loan is the grant equivalent expressed as a percentage of the amount committed. It is used as a measure of the overall cost of borrowing. The grant equivalent of a loan is its commitment (present) value, less the discounted present value of its contractual debt service; conventionally, future service payments are discounted at 5 percent. Principal repayments are actual amounts of principal (amortization) paid by the borrower in currency, goods, or services in the year specified. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

Ghana GH: External Debt: NFL: PPG: Multilateral Concessional data was reported at -79.849 USD mn in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of -61.149 USD mn for 2022. Ghana GH: External Debt: NFL: PPG: Multilateral Concessional data is updated yearly, averaging 185.434 USD mn from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 540.424 USD mn in 2011 and a record low of -79.849 USD mn in 2023. Ghana GH: External Debt: NFL: PPG: Multilateral Concessional data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank.IDS: External Debt: Net Flows and Net Transfers: Annual. Public and publicly guaranteed multilateral loans include loans and credits from the World Bank, regional development banks, and other multilateral and intergovernmental agencies. Excluded are loans from funds administered by an international organization on behalf of a single donor government; these are classified as loans from governments. Concessional debt is defined as loans with an original grant element of 35 percent or more. The grant element of a loan is the grant equivalent expressed as a percentage of the amount committed. It is used as a measure of the overall cost of borrowing. The grant equivalent of a loan is its commitment (present) value, less the discounted present value of its contractual debt service; conventionally, future service payments are discounted at 5 percent. Net flows (or net lending or net disbursements) received by the borrower during the year are disbursements minus principal repayments. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

Ghana GH: External Debt: DOD: CB: Bilateral Concessional data was reported at 0.024 USD mn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.023 USD mn for 2022. Ghana GH: External Debt: DOD: CB: Bilateral Concessional data is updated yearly, averaging 0.032 USD mn from Dec 2004 (Median) to 2023, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.047 USD mn in 2009 and a record low of 0.000 USD mn in 2006. Ghana GH: External Debt: DOD: CB: Bilateral Concessional data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank.IDS: External Debt: Debt Outstanding, Debt Ratio and Debt Service: Annual. Central bank bilateral debt includes Central bank debt with bilateral creditors. The central bank is the financial institution (or institutions) that exercises control over key aspects of the financial system. The monetary authority, normally the agency that issues currency and holds the country’s international reserves. Concessional debt is defined as loans with an original grant element of 35 percent or more. The grant element of a loan is the grant equivalent expressed as a percentage of the amount committed. It is used as a measure of the overall cost of borrowing. The grant equivalent of a loan is its commitment (present) value, less the discounted present value of its contractual debt service; conventionally, future service payments are discounted at 5 percent. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

Ghana GH: External Debt: INT: GG: Bilateral Concessional data was reported at 0.926 USD mn in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.389 USD mn for 2022. Ghana GH: External Debt: INT: GG: Bilateral Concessional data is updated yearly, averaging 1.893 USD mn from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 204.863 USD mn in 2017 and a record low of 0.102 USD mn in 2004. Ghana GH: External Debt: INT: GG: Bilateral Concessional data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank.IDS: External Debt: Disbursements and Interest Payment: Annual. General government bilateral debt includes loans from governments and their agencies (including central banks), loans from autonomous bodies, and direct loans from official export credit agencies. Concessional debt is defined as loans with an original grant element of 35 percent or more. The grant element of a loan is the grant equivalent expressed as a percentage of the amount committed. It is used as a measure of the overall cost of borrowing. The grant equivalent of a loan is its commitment (present) value, less the discounted present value of its contractual debt service; conventionally, future service payments are discounted at 5 percent. Interest payments are actual amounts of interest paid by the borrower in currency, goods, or services in the year specified. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

Ghana GH: External Debt: TDS: PS: Bilateral Concessional data was reported at 5.645 USD mn in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 27.323 USD mn for 2022. Ghana GH: External Debt: TDS: PS: Bilateral Concessional data is updated yearly, averaging 3.867 USD mn from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 217.769 USD mn in 2017 and a record low of 0.274 USD mn in 1970. Ghana GH: External Debt: TDS: PS: Bilateral Concessional data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank.IDS: External Debt: Debt Outstanding, Debt Ratio and Debt Service: Annual. Public sector bilateral debt includes loans from governments and their agencies (including central banks), loans from autonomous bodies, and direct loans from official export credit agencies. Concessional debt is defined as loans with an original grant element of 35 percent or more. The grant element of a loan is the grant equivalent expressed as a percentage of the amount committed. It is used as a measure of the overall cost of borrowing. The grant equivalent of a loan is its commitment (present) value, less the discounted present value of its contractual debt service; conventionally, future service payments are discounted at 5 percent. Debt service payments are the sum of principal repayments and interest payments actually made in the year specified. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

Ghana GH: External Debt: NTR: PPG: Bilateral Concessional data was reported at 40.788 USD mn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 25.798 USD mn for 2022. Ghana GH: External Debt: NTR: PPG: Bilateral Concessional data is updated yearly, averaging 24.721 USD mn from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 138.386 USD mn in 2011 and a record low of -170.252 USD mn in 2017. Ghana GH: External Debt: NTR: PPG: Bilateral Concessional data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank.IDS: External Debt: Net Flows and Net Transfers: Annual. Bilateral debt includes loans from governments and their agencies (including central banks), loans from autonomous bodies, and direct loans from official export credit agencies. Concessional debt is defined as loans with an original grant element of 35 percent or more. The grant element of a loan is the grant equivalent expressed as a percentage of the amount committed. It is used as a measure of the overall cost of borrowing. The grant equivalent of a loan is its commitment (present) value, less the discounted present value of its contractual debt service; conventionally, future service payments are discounted at 5 percent. Net transfers are net flows minus interest payments during the year; negative transfers show net transfers made by the borrower to the creditor during the year. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

Ghana GH: External Debt: NTR: GG: Multilateral Concessional data was reported at -90.144 USD mn in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of -71.133 USD mn for 2022. Ghana GH: External Debt: NTR: GG: Multilateral Concessional data is updated yearly, averaging 151.189 USD mn from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 507.511 USD mn in 2011 and a record low of -90.144 USD mn in 2023. Ghana GH: External Debt: NTR: GG: Multilateral Concessional data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank.IDS: External Debt: Net Flows and Net Transfers: Annual. General government multilateral loans include loans and credits from the World Bank, regional development banks, and other multilateral and intergovernmental agencies. Excluded are loans from funds administered by an international organization on behalf of a single donor government; these are classified as loans from governments. Concessional debt is defined as loans with an original grant element of 35 percent or more. The grant element of a loan is the grant equivalent expressed as a percentage of the amount committed. It is used as a measure of the overall cost of borrowing. The grant equivalent of a loan is its commitment (present) value, less the discounted present value of its contractual debt service; conventionally, future service payments are discounted at 5 percent. Net transfers are net flows minus interest payments during the year; negative transfers show net transfers made by the borrower to the creditor during the year. Data are in current U.S. dollars.