Foreign-Controlled Banks Dominate Ghana’s Secured Lending Market with GH¢14.1 Billion in Q2 2026

Foreign-controlled banks maintained their dominance in Ghana’s secured credit market during the second quarter of 2026, accounting for 71.1% of the total registered secured credit. According to the latest Collateral Registry Report from the Bank of Ghana, these international institutions registered GH¢14.1 billion in credit, reflecting a 19.3% increase compared to the GH¢11.8 billion recorded in the same period in 2025. This surge in activity underscores a robust reliance on secured transaction mechanisms across the banking industry as financial institutions navigate the evolving economic landscape under the current administration.

While foreign banks held the largest market share, indigenous banks demonstrated exceptional growth momentum during the quarter. Locally owned financial institutions registered GH¢5.7 billion in secured credit, a staggering 112.4% increase from the GH¢2.7 billion reported a year earlier. This significant rise suggests a strengthening capacity and appetite among indigenous banks to compete in the secured lending space. Collectively, the total registered secured credit for the period reached GH¢19.9 billion, indicating a broader trend of increased collateralization in the Ghanaian financial sector.

Large enterprises continue to be the primary beneficiaries of this lending environment, receiving 43.9% of the total secured credit, amounting to GH¢13.8 billion. However, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) also saw a notable boost, with secured lending to this vital sector rising by 28.9% to reach GH¢3.8 billion. In terms of sector distribution, the construction industry emerged as the primary driver, receiving the largest share of registered credit at GH¢9.9 billion. Other sectors also showed resilience; the services sector recorded a massive 154.8% growth in secured credit, while the commerce and finance sectors saw a steady 25.9% increase.

The Bank of Ghana’s Collateral Registry Department attributes this uptick in activity to a greater industry-wide reliance on formal collateral registration, which provides lenders with enhanced legal security against defaults. This trend is further supported by a general decline in lending rates across the industry, making credit more accessible for businesses. As registry activity continues to climb, it signals a maturing financial ecosystem where both foreign and indigenous players are leveraging structured credit to drive economic stability and industrial expansion across the country.