Ghana International Bank (GHIB) is looking to attract funds from Asian investors to help meet Africa’s increasing financing needs. Chief Executive Officer Ian Greenstreet emphasized the significant potential for leveraging Asia’s deep institutional savings for critical infrastructure projects, calling China an “extremely important” market for investment.
Majority-owned by the Bank of Ghana, GHIB operates from London and plays a crucial role in connecting African markets with the international financial system through various services, including corporate banking, trade finance, and treasury solutions. As of December 2024, the Bank of Ghana holds a 65.45% equity stake in GHIB.
Looking beyond traditional lenders
This strategic shift comes as African nations seek alternative methods to finance economic growth while reducing dependency on traditional international borrowing. GHIB’s approach aligns with a recent move by Ghana’s cocoa regulator, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), which raised $288 million through domestic short-term debt to fund cocoa purchases from farmers. This financing marked a significant shift from its long-standing reliance on syndicated loans managed by international banks.
The existing debt, issued at an interest rate of 11%, is part of a larger domestic financing initiative totaling 16.3 billion cedis, with a maturity date set for June 2027. COCOBOD has faced ongoing financing challenges since its previous loan arrangements fell through during the 2023/24 season.
Greenstreet also noted that while GHIB seeks to engage Asian capital, international funding remains essential for addressing Africa’s diverse financing needs—describing it as highly complementary.
Expanding agricultural financing
In addition to seeking investment from Asia, GHIB plans to broaden its financing focus beyond cocoa to include other agricultural commodities such as cotton. This effort aims to bolster Africa’s agricultural value chains.
GHIB’s ambitions coincide with wider initiatives to enhance cross-border trade and improve business access to international markets. In June 2026, GHIB entered into a trade finance agreement with the African Development Bank, designed to provide increased support for importers, exporters, and financial institutions engaged in cross-border transactions.
Through its emphasis on attracting Asian investors and enhancing trade finance activities, GHIB aims to better connect international capital with opportunities for development in Africa.
