In a surprising twist, electric vehicles (EVs) imported into Ghana are still subject to duties, even for commercial buses, despite government promises of duty exemptions to encourage their adoption. While officials previously indicated that EVs could be imported duty-free as part of efforts to reduce emissions from traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, importers have faced unexpected charges upon bringing in EVs. The confusion comes in light of the 2024 national budget, which stated that investors assembling electric vehicles locally would receive exemptions for various vehicle types, including commercial electric buses intended for public transport.
Despite the government’s public commitment, those seeking to import EV buses are still required to pay standard import duties, which contradicts the assurances made in the budget. Sources from the High Street Journal confirmed that while the exemption applies to government-imported buses, private individuals and companies are left bearing the full cost. This situation has frustrated commercial transport operators, who argue that the government’s approach discriminates against private investment and innovation in the electric vehicle sector, effectively granting an unfair advantage to public sector vehicles.
As Ghana aims to align with global efforts to promote electric vehicle adoption and meet net-zero carbon targets, bureaucratic hurdles pose significant challenges. The country, a signatory to the ECOWAS Common External Tariff, must navigate complex legislative requirements to grant duty exemptions for EVs, including applying for an exemption from ECOWAS and establishing a legislative instrument. These obstacles could delay Ghana’s ambitions for widespread EV adoption until 2025 or later, dampening enthusiasm for the potential growth of electric vehicles in the market.
