Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy programme has unveiled plans to leverage pension funds as a source of long-term capital to finance infrastructure projects and provide affordable credit to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Presidential Adviser on the 24-Hour Economy, Augustus Goosie Tanoh, confirmed that the Secretariat has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Petra Trust, the country’s largest pension fund manager. The deal will channel investments into vehicles managed by the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) and into venture capital sub-funds designed to support SME growth.
“We signed an MoU with Petra, the largest pension fund, and the idea is that they will invest in some of the vehicles created by GIIF and the venture capital sub-funds. Their rules are very strict because they must protect contributors. They invest in a way that there’s an exit, and they can make returns without risking their basic capital,” Tanoh said sighted by Accra Street Journal.
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Safe Capital, Productive Use
Tanoh emphasised that any use of pension assets would prioritise the safety of contributors’ funds. Pension managers will structure investments to ensure liquidity for future payouts while still achieving steady returns.
Other pension fund managers are expected to join the initiative, particularly on the infrastructure side, providing patient capital for projects in transport, energy, and industrial development.
“Other pension funds will come in, but that will be more for the infrastructure side, and also more of secure and safe investments with regard to the enterprise-level SME funding,” Tanoh explained.
Why Pension Funds?
Analysts note that pension funds are uniquely suited to finance infrastructure because they operate as long-term investors. Unlike banks, which focus on short-term credit, pension funds thrive on projects that take years to mature but deliver reliable returns over decades.
Countries like South Africa and Nigeria already channel portions of pension assets into national infrastructure, a model Ghana now seeks to replicate.
Impact on Growth and Jobs
If successful, the arrangement could significantly reshape Ghana’s growth trajectory. Infrastructure funded by pension-backed vehicles is expected to cut transport costs, improve energy reliability, and expand trade capacity.
Meanwhile, SMEs — which have long struggled with access to credit — will benefit from dedicated venture capital sub-funds, enabling them to expand operations, create jobs, and sustain round-the-clock production.
This dual approach aligns with the 24-Hour Economy’s vision of transforming Ghana into a hub of continuous industrial activity while safeguarding pension contributors’ interests.
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on December 6, 2025 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
