• Ghana rolls out Publican AI at Tema Port, with early revenue rising from GH₵2.4bn to GH₵3.6bn after deployment
• System flags undervaluation and fraud using machine learning, but traders report slower clearance times and rising congestion pressures
• Reform reflects wider African shift toward AI-driven customs enforcement balancing revenue gains and trade facilitation risks

Traders at Ghana’s Tema Port are reporting delays in cargo clearance following the rollout of an AI-powered customs valuation system, prompting authorities to step up communication efforts to explain the reform and reassure importers.

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) held a media briefing on April 24 and the Ministry of Finance released an explainer video on April 30, as part of a broader campaign to clarify how the system operates and emphasize that human officers retain final control over clearance decisions.

Ghana implemented the platform, known as Publican AI, at Tema Port on February 1, 2026, marking a shift in customs administration toward algorithm-assisted enforcement. The system uses artificial intelligence and machine learning models to analyze import declarations, benchmark prices against global trade databases, and flag anomalies for human verification before clearance.

The reform is anchored in efforts to reduce revenue leakages linked to undervaluation and customs fraud. Government estimates indicate that Ghana lost more than GH₵11 billion in customs revenue between 2020 and 2024 due to valuation gaps and compliance inefficiencies. Early data from the GRA shows customs revenue rising from GH₵2.4 billion to GH₵3.6 billion within weeks of deployment, suggesting improved valuation accuracy.

However, the system is also reshaping operational dynamics at the country’s busiest port. Traders say the increased use of algorithmic screening has intensified inspections and introduced additional verification layers, affecting the predictability of clearance timelines and slowing import flows.

Officials maintain that Publican AI functions as a decision-support tool rather than a replacement for customs officers. According to the GRA, the hybrid model is designed to reduce discretionary valuation practices while preserving human oversight, positioning the system as an enforcement enhancer rather than an autonomous decision-maker.

The transition reflects a broader shift in Ghana’s customs governance from manual inspection-based processes to data-driven enforcement frameworks. Authorities see the reform as part of wider efforts to strengthen domestic revenue mobilization, reduce reliance on external financing, and improve efficiency at Tema Port, a critical trade gateway.

Across Africa, similar systems are being deployed, though often with less integration. Kenya is expanding digital risk profiling at Mombasa Port, while Nigeria is scaling AI-assisted inspection tools to reduce physical checks. Morocco and South Africa are incorporating data analytics into trade facilitation reforms, and Ethiopia recently introduced an AI-assisted unmanned Smart Police Station in Addis Ababa.

Analysts describe this emerging model as “precision commerce,” where trade enforcement becomes increasingly automated and data-intensive. Within this context, Ghana’s Publican AI stands out in West Africa for its integration into live customs valuation processes at a major port hub.

Despite early revenue gains, the reform highlights a persistent policy tension between enforcement efficiency and trade facilitation. While authorities focus on stabilizing operations through communication and stakeholder engagement, the balance between tighter controls and smooth trade flows remains central to the system’s long-term effectiveness.

By Cynthia Ebot Takang