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CWEIC Strategic Partner British International Investment (BII) Announces $50 Million Partnership with Ghana International Bank (GHIB) to Boost Cross-Border Trade in Africa’s Frontier Economies

British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, has announced a $50 million trade finance facility in partnership with Ghana International Bank plc (GHIB), a leading UK-based African financial institution. This collaboration aims to enhance cross-border trade across several of Africa’s frontier economies, including Commonwealth member countries such as Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Rwanda, and Tanzania.

The $50 million facility, established under a Master Risk Participation Agreement (MRPA), will enable GHIB to support a greater number of businesses and facilitate trade flows in the target countries. This initiative aims to addresses the general lack of credit appetite for frontier markets in Africa, often due to high-risk perceptions and comparatively lower trade volumes.

Kwabena Asante-Poku, Country Director for Ghana at BII, stated that enhancing the flow of trade credit and financial intermediation to these markets will ensure access to essential goods and services, thereby driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

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