As Ghana continues to pursue agricultural transformation and improved food security, strengthening access to finance for agribusinesses remains crucial. To help bridge this financing gap, GIRSAL, through its flagship Agriculture and Agribusiness Lending Course, has commenced Cohort 19, the first of three cohorts planned for 2026. The program is designed to equip financial institutions with the knowledge and practical tools needed to effectively finance Ghana’s agricultural sector.
Since its launch, the Agriculture and Agribusiness Lending Course has steadily evolved into one of the country’s most impactful capacity-building initiatives for financial institutions. To date, the program has trained 879 professionals from 66 financial institutions across 18 cohorts, strengthening the capacity of agriculture desk officers, relationship managers, and credit risk officers to assess, structure, and manage agribusiness lending more effectively.
Beyond classroom sessions, the program provides participants with opportunities to engage with industry experts and practical field trips. These interactions foster a deeper understanding of the operational realities, production cycles, and financing needs of agricultural enterprises.
This practical learning approach ensures that participants return to their institutions better equipped to support agribusinesses with well-structured and sustainable financing solutions.
Each year, GIRSAL implements three cohorts of the training program. With three cohorts again planned for 2026, the training aims to scale up its impact particularly in tree crops by extending the reach of the course to more financial institutions while strengthening collaboration within the agricultural finance ecosystem.
A New Strategic Partnership to Deepen Impact
Building on the success achieved through its longstanding partnerships with the National Banking College and Development Bank Ghana, GIRSAL has introduced an important new partnership this year with Kwae Capital Partners Ltd. Kwae Capital is implementing the Agroforestry Finance Catalyst Initiative (AFCI) under the Partnerships for Forests (P4F) program.
This collaboration introduces an enhanced focus on tree crop value chains, particularly cocoa, cashew, rubber, and oil palm, which are strategically important to Ghana’s agricultural sector and the economy.
Through the partnership, the program will incorporate intensive Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and forest-positive finance principles, enabling financial institutions to integrate sustainability considerations into their lending decisions.
The collaboration is supporting the development of new training modules, applied case studies, and practical tools that translate international ESG standards into actionable guidance for lenders.
A key feature of the enhanced program is a specialized Tree Crop Finance Clinic, designed as a hands-on session that will help participants better understand the financial structuring, production cycles, and risk profiles associated with major tree crop value chains.
This initiative aims not only to expand access to agricultural finance but also to ensure that financing supports sustainable and responsible production systems.
Cohort 19 began with opening remarks from the Chief Executive Officer of GIRSAL, Mr. Nicholas Afrifa, who emphasized the importance of strengthening financial institutions’ understanding of the agricultural sector.
“Agriculture remains the backbone of Ghana’s economy, yet it continues to face significant financing constraints. The Agriculture and Agribusiness Lending Course is essential in equipping financial institutions with the knowledge and practical skills needed to confidently support agribusinesses. By strengthening the capacity of the financial sector, we are helping to unlock the flow of capital that will drive agricultural growth, improve livelihoods, and contribute to national economic development,” he said.
He further highlighted the key role partnerships play in expanding the reach and impact of the program.
“Our collaboration with strategic partners such as the National Banking College and Development Bank Ghana over the years has enabled us to continuously improve the quality and relevance of the program. The introduction of Kwae Capital as a new partner, with a focus on tree crop financing, will further strengthen the ability of financial institutions to support key agricultural value chains that are central to Ghana’s agricultural economy and global supply chains, “he noted.
During the opening session, the Principal Consultant for Kwae Capital Partners Ltd, Mr. Augustine Ansah Akrofi highlighted the significance of the partnership in advancing sustainable agricultural finance.
“We are pleased to be partnering with GIRSAL and the National Banking College on this initiative, with support from the Partnerships for Forests (P4F) program. Tree crops have unique financing dynamics that require more tailored lending approaches, and through this partnership we hope to equip lenders with practical tools and insights to better support the sector. By incorporating sustainability and ESG considerations into the training, we also aim to help ensure that increased financing supports more responsible and resilient growth across these important value chains.”
As Ghana continues to pursue agricultural transformation and improved food security, expanding access to finance for agribusinesses remains a national priority.
For GIRSAL, strengthening both the financial sector and the agricultural sector is essential to ensuring that financial institutions are well equipped to support agribusinesses with appropriate financing structures and effective risk management approaches.
Through strategic partnerships, practical learning, and continuous capacity building, the Agriculture and Agribusiness Lending Course is helping to unlock new financing opportunities for agribusinesses and financial institutions alike, contributing to the sustainable growth and resilience of Ghana’s agricultural sector.