Ghana will be among the least affected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa by the US tariffs announced by President Donald Trump. According to Fitch Solutions, the country will be ranked 42nd in Sub-Saharan Africa. The US imposed a 10% reciprocal tariff on Ghana. The goods that will be hardest hit are cocoa, textiles, and some agricultural products.
According to the UK-based firm’s Effective US Reciprocal Tariff Rates, the DR Congo will be the hardest hit in Sub-Saharan Africa, followed by Somalia (2nd), Sao Tome and Principe (3rd), Niger (4th), and Eritrea (5th). Equatorial Guinea will be the least affected Sub-Saharan African country. The effective US reciprocal tariff rates account for other tariffs and exemptions.
Fitch Solutions warned that Sub-Saharan Africa’s oil-exporting markets will be the hardest hit if global oil prices fail to recover. “We believe that SSA’s oil-exporting markets will come under significant pressure if global oil prices fail to recover. Brent crude prices have dropped by around 14.9% since April 2, 2025, with rising fears of a global economic slowdown being exacerbated by the decision by OPEC+ to accelerate the return of its cut barrels to market.”
Among the larger markets in SSA, Angola and Nigeria are particularly vulnerable, given their structural dependence on oil as a source of both government revenue and foreign exchange. From a fiscal perspective, Fitch Solutions said Angola and Nigeria based their 2025 budgets on Brent crude prices averaging $70 per barrel and $75 per barrel, respectively, an assumption that now appears highly unlikely.
During his second presidency, United States President Donald Trump enacted a series of steep protective tariffs affecting nearly all goods imported into the United States. Between January and April 2025, the average effective US tariff rate rose from 2.5% to an estimated 27%—the highest level in over a century.
The US tariffs came about as a result of President Trump’s “America First” policy, which aimed to protect American industries and jobs. Trump argued that the tariffs would help to level the playing field for US businesses and workers, who he claimed were being unfairly disadvantaged by international trade agreements.
The tariffs were imposed on a wide range of goods, including steel, aluminum, and various agricultural products. Trump’s administration argued that the tariffs were necessary to protect national security and prevent intellectual property theft. However, many countries, including those in Sub-Saharan Africa, have been affected by the tariffs, which have led to increased costs for imports and potential economic slowdown.
The tariffs have also sparked concerns about a potential trade war, with many countries retaliating against the US by imposing their own tariffs on American goods. This has led to increased tensions between the US and its trading partners, and has raised concerns about the potential impact on the global economy.
The impact of the tariffs on the global economy remains to be seen, but it is clear that many countries will be affected. The US’s trading partners are working to mitigate the effects of the tariffs and find alternative solutions to minimize the damage.
The tariffs have also raised concerns about the potential impact on American consumers, who may face higher prices for imported goods. Some argue that the tariffs will help to boost American industry, while others argue that they will lead to higher prices and reduced economic growth.
The future of the tariffs remains uncertain, with ongoing negotiations between the US and its trading partners. However, one thing is clear: the impact of the tariffs will be felt far beyond the US borders, and will have significant implications for the global economy.
