Kwahu: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Development Bank Ghana (DBG), Dr. Randolph Nsor-Ambala, announced that the Bank will roll out GHS500 million this year to support Ghana’s agricultural ecosystem. This initiative aims to strengthen Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) within the agriculture value chain, thereby seeking to rejuvenate the economy by enhancing food security, improving productivity, and creating employment opportunities.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Nsor-Ambala revealed these plans during a speech at the Kwahu Business Forum in Mpraeso, Kwahu. The forum, themed ‘The Future of Business: The Role of the Financial Sector,’ is part of the government’s vision to build a resilient and inclusive economy through SME empowerment. The event featured prominent attendees, including His Excellency President Mahama, alongside various business owners, industrialists, investors, and financial institutions, with discussions focused on policy interventions and strategies to enhance Ghana’s business landscape.
DBG’s approach emphasizes sustainable transformation rather than temporary interventions, ensuring that capital is directed where it can significantly impact economic development. Over the years, DBG has provided GHS1.62 billion in loans to over 650 businesses, with tenures extending up to 15 years, projecting to generate over 18,000 direct jobs nationwide. Currently, the Bank has active portfolios in 13 regions and aims to cover all of Ghana’s 16 regions this year.
Dr. Nsor-Ambala highlighted the Bank’s comprehensive support for businesses, noting that while many associate DBG with affordable long-term loans, the Bank’s role extends beyond that. They are collaborating with partner financial institutions to enhance their understanding and evaluation of the agriculture sector. This collaboration includes technical assistance programs for both businesses and financial institutions, building capacities to properly value the agriculture sector. Additionally, DBG is working with development partners to establish mechanisms for partial guarantees and an agriculture insurance program to further mitigate sector risks.
The DBG’s rollout of GHS500 million focuses on unlocking growth potential and ensuring sustainable development across the agriculture value chain, aligning with the government’s economic recovery agenda. This includes broadening access to affordable financing for local businesses and offering targeted support to SMEs through tailored financial solutions and technical assistance.
DBG is committed to creating inclusive opportunities, generating jobs for the youth, building sustainable businesses, and positioning Ghana competitively in African and global markets. Dr. Nsor-Ambala emphasized the Bank’s dedication to supporting the agriculture value chain for food security, agribusiness, manufacturing, ICT, human capital development, and infrastructure, including transport. The Bank aims to empower the private sector as a key economic driver contributing to national economic transformation.
Established by the Government of Ghana, DBG is a wholesale financial institution that, since its inception three years ago, has facilitated significant disbursements through Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs), unlocking projects and value chains across agribusiness, manufacturing, ICT, and high-value services. The Bank has received funds from the World Bank, European Investment Bank, Kreditanstalt Fr Wiederaufbau (KfW), and the African Development Bank.
