Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called for deeper collaboration and renewed commitment to industrial transformation as the Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM) marked its 10th anniversary in Accra.
Speaking at a commemorative conference on March 25, the Vice President described the milestone as “a significant accomplishment” and an opportunity for “pride, reflection, and renewed purpose” amid growing global economic uncertainty.
The event brought together policymakers, development finance institutions, and private sector players to assess Ghana’s economic direction and strengthen partnerships for future growth.
The Vice President credited the establishment of GEXIM in 2016 to the vision of President John Dramani Mahama, who sought to address Ghana’s long-standing economic challenges.
According to her, the creation of the bank was driven by the recognition that “no country can build lasting prosperity if it remains trapped in the cycle of exporting raw materials and importing finished goods.”
GEXIM Bank was formed through the consolidation of key export financing and guarantee institutions into a single entity to support production, value addition, and export trade.
Over the past ten years, the bank has become a key pillar in Ghana’s development finance architecture. It has supported businesses across agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, and services, while contributing to the growth of non-traditional exports.
The Vice President highlighted that GEXIM Bank has helped businesses transition from primary production to processing and manufacturing, while providing patient capital, technical support, and risk-sharing mechanisms.
“This demonstrates that when a country invests deliberately in export finance and industrial support, it gives its entrepreneurs a fair chance to grow and succeed,” she said.
Addressing the global economic landscape, she warned that increasing trade tensions, supply chain disruptions, climate change, and rapid technological shifts are reshaping international commerce.
She emphasized that global uncertainty is now a permanent feature, making export diversification and industrial capacity critical for resilience.
“Dependence on a narrow range of exports is no longer sustainable. Diversification is not only desirable, it is necessary,” she stated.
The Vice President pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area as a major opportunity for Ghana and the continent to boost intra-African trade and build regional value chains.
She noted that Ghana is well-positioned to benefit from shifting global supply chains due to its democratic stability, youthful population, natural resources, and growing middle class.
However, she cautioned that “potential must be matched by strategy, policy, and institutions that are prepared to act.”
Looking ahead, she outlined key priorities for GEXIM Bank’s next phase:
• Increased support for value addition and industrial production
• Greater focus on small and medium-sized enterprises
• Expansion of trade finance, credit guarantees, and risk management
• Stronger partnerships with regional and international institutions
• Embracing innovation and modernization
“The next frontier must be defined by deeper impact, broader reach, stronger partnerships, and greater innovation,” she said.
