Development Bank Ghana channels GHc2.5bn into women-led enterprises and key growth sectors

The Development Bank Ghana (DBG) has disbursed more than GH¢2.5 billion since its inception, with a significant majority of the funding directed toward women-led and women-owned businesses. Chief Executive Officer Prof. Randolph Nsor-Ambala disclosed this during an interview on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition, highlighting the bank’s strategic focus on sectors critical to the nation’s economic transformation .

According to Prof. Nsor-Ambala, over 60% of the total disbursement has been allocated to female entrepreneurs, while more than half of the funding has been channelled into agriculture, agribusiness, and manufacturing. This financing strategy is designed to address the “market failures and binding constraints” that hinder growth in these areas, which the bank views as “growth pole areas” essential for industrialisation .

Reaching Beyond Accra

The bank’s footprint extends across nearly the entire country, having reached almost 1,000 businesses. Notably, about 50% of these enterprises are located outside the Greater Accra Region, demonstrating a deliberate effort to decentralise development funding. “As we speak, we have a footprint in every region except one,” Prof. Nsor-Ambala noted .

Focus on Agriculture and Food Security

The CEO emphasised that DBG’s agricultural investments are targeted at specific value chains—maize, rice, cassava, sorghum, and poultry—chosen based on their potential to create decent jobs and improve food security. He explained that these investments are crucial for achieving “upward social mobility and economic empowerment” and for mitigating economic pressures related to inflation and import dependence .

Wholesale Model and Future Outlook

Operating under a wholesale model, DBG provides long-term capital to participating financial institutions, which then on-lend to eligible businesses. This approach leverages existing banking distribution networks while allowing DBG to focus on sector and tenor risks that commercial banks typically avoid .

The bank’s intervention also extends to the digital and services sectors, including ICT, education, health, transportation, and tourism. About 40% of the disbursements have reportedly gone into micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) .

Looking ahead, DBG has pledged to deepen its support for women-owned businesses and the oil palm value chain, positioning itself as a key driver of Ghana’s industrial transformation agenda .