In a strategic move to strengthen trade ties between Ghana and Turkey, Access Bank Ghana has launched a Turkish Desk to facilitate smoother business transactions, boost manufacturing, and attract foreign investment into Ghana.
The initiative is aimed at creating a one-stop hub for Ghanaian and Turkish businesses looking to expand across both countries and into broader African markets.
Mr. James Bruce, Executive Director of Wholesale Banking at Access Bank, said the move signalled a long-term commitment to bridging business opportunities between the two countries.
“For Ghanaian businesses, this means easier access to Turkish suppliers, secure terms of trade, and guidance from professionals who understand both the Turkish financial system and local needs,” he said.
The Desk is expected to help double trade volumes between Ghana and Turkey from approximately $600 million to over $1.2 billion, by making it easier for Turkish investors to navigate the Ghanaian market and vice versa.
He said, currently, Turkish businesses were active in Ghana’s construction, retail, and healthcare sectors, but few have ventured into manufacturing. That’s a gap the bank hopes to fill.
“There’s already a $50 million Turkish manufacturing facility under development, when Turkish companies see familiar faces, a local bank they can trust, and government support, it makes investing here more attractive,” Mr. Bruce noted.
The Turkish Desk is modeled after similar initiatives Access Bank has undertaken with German, Chinese, and Lebanese partners.
He said the bank is working closely with institutions like the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to create a business-friendly environment.
Access Bank is also looking beyond Ghana’s borders, positioning itself as a launch-pad for Turkish companies to access other African markets. “This is not just about Ghana. We operate in several African countries. So a Turkish company may start here, but we’ll help them scale across the continent,” Mr. Bruce added.
On the local front, the bank is taking steps to prepare Ghanaian SMEs for partnerships with Turkish investors. This includes training and certifying entrepreneurs through collaborations with the Development Bank Ghana and other institutions, followed by access to blended finance solutions involving MasterCard and other partners.
“The first step is always capacity building. Once the SMEs are trained and certified, they’re ready for financing, we’ve put in place risk-sharing schemes that cover up to 50 per cent of collateral requirements, giving banks more confidence to lend to these businesses,” Mr. Bruce said.
Mr. Bruce emphasized that Ghana’s economy had grown not through large corporations, but through the resilience and ambition of its SMEs.
“We are not just financing businesses but we are scaling them up from micro to medium and even large enterprises,” he said, referencing examples like Kasapreko as aspirational models.
Huseyin Güngör, Turkish Ambassador to Ghana reaffirmed that the Turkey was ready to collaborate and cooperate with Ghana to ensure economic growth and prosperity for both countries.
