IFC, Access Bank back cocoa sector with US$134m risk-sharing facility

By Buertey Francis BORYOR

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Access Bank Ghana Plc have announced a partnership to expand affordable financing for Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and strengthen the resilience, productivity and sustainability of the cocoa sector.

The initiative, announced in Accra on January 23, 2026, is expected to benefit thousands of smallholder farmers by improving LBC liquidity, enhancing traceability systems and enabling the procurement of more sustainably produced cocoa beans.

Through the partnership, IFC- drawing on its own account and the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP)- will provide up to US$67 million in unfunded risk-participation facilities. This will enable Access Bank Ghana to extend up to US$134 million in financing to leading LBCs.

The expanded access to capital is intended to help LBCs purchase traceable cocoa beans from smallholder farmers, strengthen supply-chain transparency and support improved environmental and social standards across the industry.

The financing also aligns with national objectives on sustainable cocoa production, including the uptake of Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa, which promotes responsible land use, forest protection and compliance with emerging global market requirements.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana, Pearl Nkrumah, said the facility would unlock critical liquidity for LBCs during the purchasing season while supporting long-term competitiveness.

“Access Bank’s support to LBCs will unlock the liquidity they need during the purchasing season, help improve traceability, and encourage more sustainable sourcing practices that will position the cocoa sector for long-term competitiveness,” she said, adding that the partnership underscores a shared commitment with IFC to strengthening critical value chains and advancing inclusive growth.

IFC Division Director for West Africa Gulf of Guinea, Nathalie Akon, described cocoa as central to the country’s development, noting its importance to rural incomes, export revenues and livelihoods.

“Our partnership with Access Bank will help local buying companies secure the liquidity they need to purchase cocoa beans from smallholder farmers while promoting sustainability, climate-smart agriculture and stronger rural economies,” she said.

Also addressing the event, the Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Mrs. Matilda Asante-Asiedu, said the risk-sharing guarantee scheme represents a strategic partnership to unlock opportunities across the agricultural sector, particularly cocoa.

She said the facility comes at a critical time for local LBCs, noting that their liquidity is essential not only for commercial activity but also for safeguarding rural livelihoods and export earnings.

“Ensuring their liquidity is not merely a commercial objective; it is a national priority,” she said, adding that stability in the cocoa purchasing system supports rural communities and strengthens export performance, with positive implications for currency resilience.

Mrs. Asante-Asiedu said the initiative aligns closely with national priorities of expanding financial inclusion, strengthening private-sector participation and accelerating economic diversification. She added that improved macroeconomic conditions, supported by prudent monetary and fiscal policy management, provide a strong foundation for banks to expand financing to productive sectors, particularly agriculture.

She commended Access Bank for its performance, noting that as of December 2025 the bank recorded total assets of GH?19.47 billion and mobilised GH?14.27 billion in deposits, reflecting market confidence and institutional credibility. She also highlighted the bank’s profitability and sound risk management, citing a non-performing loans ratio of 3.82 percent, below industry benchmarks.

She encouraged IFC to explore opportunities for issuing green bonds in the domestic capital market to further embed sustainable finance and unlock funding for climate-aligned projects.

The programme supports the Second Cocoa Sector Development Strategy (2017–2027) by expanding working capital financing for LBCs and incentivising the procurement of traceable and certified cocoa. It is expected to deliver measurable outcomes, including increased liquidity for LBCs during peak purchasing seasons, stronger market access for farmers, enhanced environmental and social practices, and improved rural livelihoods through more reliable payments.

The initiative forms part of IFC’s broader effort to scale sustainable cocoa financing, following a similar agreement signed with Société Générale in 2025. IFC said the partnership reflects its mandate to leverage private-sector solutions to create markets and opportunities in emerging economies.

About IFC

IFC-a member of the World Bank Group – is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record US$71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet.

About Access Bank Ghana Plc

Access Bank (Ghana) Plc is a leading full-service universal bank offering banking services to Retail, Corporate, Commercial, and Institutional clients. Operating from more than 700 branches and service outlets in 22 countries in Africa and the rest of the world including the UAE, UK, Hong Kong, and France along with three representative offices in China, India, and Lebanon, Access Bank is committed to setting standards for sustainable business practices that unleash the talents of employees, deliver superior value to customers, and provide innovative solutions for the markets and communities it serves.

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