GEXIM at 10: Bank to reset strategy for next phase of Ghana's industrial growth

The Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM) has announced a year-long programme of activities to mark its 10th anniversary, to highlight a decade of efforts aimed at boosting Ghana’s export competitiveness and industrial transformation.

Speaking at the press launch of GEXIM@10 in Accra on January 14, 2026, Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, Sylvester Mensah said the anniversary would be both a celebration and a moment for strategic reflection.

“Ten years ago, GEXIM was established with a clear mandate: to help Ghana move from exporting primarily raw materials to exporting more value-added products, building competitive industries, and creating sustainable jobs,” Mensah noted.

As part of the anniversary activities, Sylvester Mensah said the bank will host an agricultural, agro-processing, and industrial technology fair dubbed AGROTECH Fair 2026, alongside Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and an international conference.

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The flagship event will be the 10th Anniversary International Conference of GEXIM, scheduled for March 25-26, 2026, at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra, under the theme: “A Decade of Enabling Export Trade and Industrial Transformation: Resetting GEXIM for the Next Frontier.”

According to Mensah, the theme reflects both progress made and the need for a new strategic direction.

“This theme is intentional. It recognises the progress made, supporting value addition and export-oriented enterprises, and it also acknowledges that the next decade will demand more agility, deeper partnerships, smarter instruments, and stronger alignment with Ghana’s evolving economic priorities,” the CEO said.

He noted that the conference would facilitate high-level discussions on global trends shaping export finance and trade competitiveness. It will also focus on issues including AI and digital tools in export finance, blended finance, MSME access to funding, and opportunities in value chains such as garments, poultry, rice, and oil palm.

“Export growth is not a slogan; it is a system. It requires capital that is patient and well-structured. It requires risk-mitigation tools that unlock confidence for lenders and investors. It requires market intelligence, standards, and the discipline to compete,” he said.

Sylvester Mensah added that over the past decade, GEXIM has supported Ghanaian enterprises to expand production, improve quality, and access new markets through financing, guarantees, and technical assistance.

“We have backed initiatives that contribute to export diversification and industrial development, with particular attention to the real economy, where jobs are created and competitiveness is won,” he explained.

He urged the media to help deepen national conversations on exports and value addition.

“We count on you not only to report this milestone, but to help elevate the national conversation about exports, competitiveness, value addition, and the role of smart finance in building a stronger economy,” he concluded.

Established under the Ghana Export-Import Bank Act (2016), Act 911, the GEXIM Bank was created to support Ghana’s transition from exporting raw materials to exporting more value-added products, building competitive industries, and creating sustainable jobs.