Ghana EXIM Bank signs MoU with GHIB to enhance access to global banking services

The Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM) and Ghana International Bank PLC (GHIB) have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening Ghana’s international trade ecosystem, enhancing access to global banking services and supporting businesses engaged in export and import activities.

The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), seeks to leverage the expertise, networks and international banking capabilities of both institutions to promote export growth, import substitution, job creation and economic transformation.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Accra, the Chief Executive of Ghana Export-Import Bank, Sylvester Adinam Mensah, emphasised that GEXIM’s mandate extends beyond domestic banking operations, positioning the Bank as a key institution connecting Ghanaian businesses to international markets.

“GEXIM Bank is more of an international bank, even though it operates locally. The whole idea is to facilitate exports and imports in a way that will contribute to economic growth. We are looking at imports within the space of import substitution, while on the export side, we are focusing on agro-processing and adding value to our products so we can take them to international markets, generate foreign exchange and create jobs,” he said.

According to the Chief Executive, the partnership with GHIB represents an important step towards strengthening Ghana’s access to global banking solutions, particularly through correspondent banking relationships and structured financial arrangements.

He said GEXIM looks “forward to this collaboration with GHIB as a way of creating syndicated finance opportunities. Importantly, we are looking at global banking services and building correspondent banking relationships with GHIB. We already have correspondent relationships with other banks, but it is important that we look inward and leverage what we have as Ghana, including our relationships, culture and understanding, as a way of facilitating and enhancing our business growth strategy.”

The MoU between GEXIM and GHIB will provide a framework for cooperation in areas including trade finance, correspondent banking, international payments and settlements, foreign exchange solutions, syndicated lending, commodity finance and other financial services that support cross-border trade.

Chief Executive Officer of Ghana International Bank PLC, Ian Greenstreet, said the partnership aligns with GHIB’s commitment to supporting Ghanaian businesses through its international banking expertise and global network.

“Together, we will build a relationship which will support Ghanaian businesses and make Ghana one of the leading export countries in Africa,” he pledged.

The collaboration is expected to provide Ghanaian exporters and importers with improved access to financial solutions required to compete effectively in regional and global markets.

The partnership will also support Ghana’s broader economic objectives of promoting value addition, strengthening local production capacity, reducing dependence on imported goods through import substitution initiatives, and expanding the country’s export base.

Through increased support for agro-processing, manufacturing and export-oriented enterprises, the collaboration is expected to contribute to foreign exchange generation, business expansion and employment creation.

The agreement between the two institutions is seen as a shared commitment to positioning Ghanaian businesses for greater participation in global value chains while advancing sustainable economic growth.