Ghana's monthly customs revenue has increased by approximately 17% due to artificial intelligence (AI)-powered reforms. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced this significant gain during the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 23.
The increase reflects stronger compliance, improved enforcement, and a substantial reduction in revenue leakages. This strategic shift moves beyond traditional tax policy, leveraging AI and other digital technologies to enhance customs administration and boost revenue mobilization.
This development is crucial for Ghana's broader economic narrative, which has focused on fiscal consolidation and domestic revenue mobilization. The government aims to improve its financial health without imposing new taxes or increasing existing ones. This approach contrasts with past reliance on tax hikes, signaling a new direction for fiscal management.
Dr. Forson stated, “Since the introduction of the AI-powered customs reforms, monthly customs revenue has increased by approximately 17%, reflecting stronger compliance, more effective enforcement, and significantly reduced leakages.” He also noted the government amended the misuse of the Tax Refund Account. This ensures resources intended for legitimate tax refunds are no longer used as a “slush fund.”
The reforms have delivered strong fiscal results despite the government's decision to abolish several taxes. It also refrained from introducing new ones. Non-oil tax revenue increased by 0.5 percentage points of GDP, rising from 12.6% in 2024 to 13.1% in 2025. This demonstrates the government's ability to improve domestic revenue mobilization through efficiency-enhancing reforms.
Dr. Forson emphasized that the government collected more taxes in 2025 even after abolishing nuisance taxes, including the E-Levy. He highlighted that “better policy, stronger compliance and smarter administration will always deliver more sustainable revenue than higher taxes.” This statement underscores a strategic pivot towards administrative efficiency over direct tax burden increases.
Looking ahead, the success of these AI-powered reforms will be closely watched by investors and international financial institutions. Continued revenue growth through efficiency gains could strengthen Ghana's fiscal position and improve its credit ratings. This approach could also serve as a model for other developing economies seeking to enhance revenue collection without stifling economic activity.
The government's commitment to avoiding supplementary estimates in the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review further signals fiscal discipline. This move aims to maintain budget predictability and stability. The focus on technology-driven solutions for revenue generation is a key indicator of Ghana's evolving economic management strategy.