Access Bank Ghana Plc has partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to inject $134 million into the cocoa value chain, addressing critical financing gaps faced by Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), the key intermediaries connecting smallholder farmers to international markets. The agreement was formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 23 January 2026.
The facility, structured as an unfunded risk-participation arrangement, allows the IFC — leveraging its own resources and the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) — to provide up to $67 million in risk support, enabling Access Bank to double the lending capacity. This structure helps bypass traditional lending constraints, allowing the bank to extend credit to seven leading LBCs, enhancing liquidity during critical purchasing periods.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Pearl Nkrumah, Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana, emphasised that the intervention would unlock liquidity for cocoa buyers, improve traceability, and promote sustainable sourcing practices. “This partnership ensures timely payments to farmers and positions the cocoa sector for long-term competitiveness,” she said.
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Natalie Kouassi Akon, IFC Division Director for West Africa, highlighted the socio-economic impact, noting that the deal supports youth employment, climate-smart agriculture, and stronger rural economies. The facility also reinforces global sustainability standards, including traceability and compliance with certifications such as Rainforest Alliance and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
The initiative received regulatory backing from the Bank of Ghana, with Second Deputy Governor Matilda Asante-Asiedu describing the risk-sharing scheme as vital for national economic resilience, safeguarding rural incomes, and stabilising the cedi and exchange rate.
By combining Access Bank’s local expertise with IFC’s global risk management, the partnership aims to strengthen the cocoa sector, improve financial inclusion for LBCs, and enhance the resilience and productivity of over 800,000 cocoa farming families nationwide, demonstrating how strategic public-private collaboration can drive sustainable development.
