GEXIM Celebrates a Decade of Growth: Loan Portfolio Hits $278m Amid Strategic Shift to Export-Led Economy

The Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM) has marked its 10th anniversary with a significant milestone, reporting a nearly fourfold increase in its loan portfolio from US$68 million in 2016 to US$278 million by late 2025. During an international conference held in Accra, Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang commended the institution for its pivotal role in breaking Ghana’s reliance on raw material exports. The bank has successfully supported 147 businesses across the country, reinforcing its commitment to industrial growth and export diversification. Chief Executive Hon. Sylvester Adinam Mensah attributed this success to improved financial operations, noting that annual import levy collections rose from US$34 million to over US$71 million during the same period.

Despite these financial gains, the leadership of GEXIM emphasized that capital alone is insufficient to drive sustainable export growth. CEO Sylvester Mensah introduced a strategic shift toward a more holistic support system, identifying high capital costs, weak market information, and logistics challenges as persistent barriers for local businesses. To address these, the bank is transitioning from traditional lending to offering tailored solutions such as export credit guarantees, invoice discounting, and advisory services. Deputy Minister for Trade and Agribusiness, Sampson Ahi, reinforced this sentiment, urging the bank to ensure its "reset" agenda delivers tangible outcomes for small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) rather than relying on slogans. This new direction is anchored by five key pillars designed to strengthen Ghana’s trade and industrial foundation by 2030.

Central to GEXIM’s future strategy is the transition from an import-driven economy to a production-based model. The bank has identified strategic sectors for intensive development, including agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and the cashew industry. Specific initiatives are underway to enhance the capacity of local rice and poultry growers to satisfy domestic demand before expanding into regional markets. By focusing on value-addition, GEXIM aims to create more jobs and increase national revenue. This industrial push is supported by the Bank of Ghana, with Dr. Johnson Asiama highlighting that while the country is building reserves to weather global commodity shocks in the oil and gold markets, a robust export-led manufacturing sector is essential for long-term economic stability.

Looking ahead, GEXIM has strengthened its global reach by partnering with over twelve development finance institutions to align with national industrialization priorities and food security goals. The bank's leadership remains focused on balancing ambitious growth with disciplined risk management to maintain institutional credibility. By prioritizing sectors that reduce import dependence and enhance foreign exchange generation, GEXIM seeks to position Ghanaian businesses as competitive players in the global market. The 10th anniversary serves as both a reflection on a decade of economic contribution and a launchpad for a decade of intensive, solutions-driven trade facilitation.