Ghana International Bank (GHIB) is seeking to attract more capital from Asia, betting that the region will become an increasingly important source of financing for Africa’s infrastructure, trade and agricultural sectors.
Ghana International Bank (GHIB) is seeking to attract more capital from Asia, betting that the region will become an increasingly important source of financing for Africa’s infrastructure, trade and agricultural sectors.
Chief Executive Officer Ian Greenstreet said Asian investors could help address some of the continent’s financing needs, pointing to the region’s deep institutional savings that could be channelled into infrastructure projects. He described China as an “extremely important” market.
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London Base, African Focus
The London-based bank, majority-owned by the Bank of Ghana, connects African markets to the international financial system through corporate and institutional banking, trade finance and treasury services. The central bank held a 65.45% equity stake in the lender as of December 2024.
Looking Beyond Traditional Lenders
GHIB’s strategy comes as African countries explore alternative ways to finance economic activity and reduce their reliance on international borrowing arrangements.
Ghana’s cocoa regulator, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), recently raised $288 million through domestic short-term debt to finance cocoa purchases from farmers. The issuance marked a shift from its decades-old reliance on syndicated loans arranged by international banks.
The debt sale, issued at an interest rate of 11% and due to mature in June 2027, was the first tranche of a planned 16.3 billion-cedi domestic financing programme. COCOBOD has faced financing difficulties since its traditional syndicated loan arrangement collapsed in the 2023/24 season.
Greenstreet told Reuters that international capital still had a role to play, as it was highly complementary to some of Africa’s financing needs.
Expanding Agricultural Financing
GHIB also plans to increase financing for agricultural commodities beyond cocoa, including cotton, as it seeks to support more of Africa’s agricultural value chains.
The bank’s ambitions align with broader efforts to strengthen cross-border trade and improve businesses’ access to international markets. In June 2026, GHIB signed a trade finance agreement with the African Development Bank, aimed at expanding support for importers, exporters and financial institutions involved in cross-border commerce.
By pursuing Asian investors while expanding its trade finance activities, GHIB hopes to connect more international capital with African businesses and development opportunities.
Key Details at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Institution | Ghana International Bank (GHIB) |
| CEO | Ian Greenstreet |
| Headquarters | London |
| Majority Owner | Bank of Ghana (65.45% as of Dec 2024) |
| Target Capital Source | Asia, particularly China |
| Focus Sectors | Infrastructure, trade, agriculture |
| New Commodities | Cotton (beyond cocoa) |
| AfDB Agreement | Trade finance (June 2026) |
| COCOBOD Domestic Debt | $288 million at 11%, maturing June 2027 |
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on October 15, 2026 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.
