NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 12 – Ghana International Bank (GHIB) and British International Investment (BII) have announced a $50 million trade finance facility to support businesses in Sierra Leone, Liberia, The Gambia, Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Tanzania.
The facility, established under a Master Risk Participation Agreement (MPRA), aims to facilitate trade flows in these frontier economies, addressing limited credit access caused by high-risk perceptions and low trade volumes.
The funding will help businesses import essential goods and raw materials, strengthening economic activity in the region.
“I’m delighted to see two UK institutions coming together to strengthen economic ties with Africa,” said Lord Collins of Highbury, the UK’s Minister for Africa.
“Africa’s trade financing gap is one of the continent’s most pressing challenges. Access to this funding will enable local businesses to trade more with the world, including the UK.”
Kwabena Asante-Poku, Country Director for Ghana at BII, highlighted the role of trade in economic development.
“Trade remains a key driver of growth for African economies, especially in frontier markets like Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia. Enhancing trade credit and financial intermediation in these markets will ensure access to essential goods and services, driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth,” he said.
GHIB, with over 65 years of experience in African financial markets, will leverage its expertise to help businesses navigate trade risks and expand economic opportunities.
“At GHIB, we believe our success is rooted in a deep understanding of African risk,” said GHIB CEO Dean Adansi.
“This partnership with BII allows us to structure deals that leverage our market knowledge alongside BII’s scale and capacity, creating profitable and impactful transactions.”
The collaboration also addresses foreign exchange liquidity needs, ensuring businesses in the target markets can secure the capital necessary for imports.
The signing ceremony took place in London.
