GCB Bank PLC has intensified efforts to cement its role as Ghana’s premier facilitator of cross-border trade, leveraging strategic partnerships with Afreximbank, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), and the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) to prepare local exporters for opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Bank’s renewed drive follows the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) in Algiers, where 20 Heads of State and representatives from 132 countries gathered to announce $48.3 billion worth of trade and investment deals.
While the event highlighted Africa’s growing trade ambition, Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah noted the limited visibility of African commercial banks and Development Finance Institutions, urging their active participation to underpin AfCFTA’s success.
Responding to this call, GCB Bank says it is ready to bridge the financing and operational gaps for Ghanaian businesses. “Ghanaian exporters cannot afford to lag behind while competitors scale up,” said Aurelia Baaba Ofori Odame, Head of GCB’s SOE and Afro-Asia Unit. “Our role is to ensure they are ready; with access to finance, seamless payments, and direct links to buyers across the continent.”
GCB has already established its pioneering credentials in trade facilitation, becoming the first bank in Africa to process a transaction through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).
The service is now fully integrated into the Bank’s mobile app, allowing exporters and businesses to conduct cross-border transactions without the challenges of currency conversions or delays.
Beyond payments, the Bank is developing bespoke trade finance solutions including factoring, value chain financing, and a dedicated AfCFTA Export Desk. Working in partnership with Afreximbank, GCB will also provide exporters with access to trade guarantees and tools such as MANSA, a pan-African due diligence platform for financial institutions and SMEs, as well as AfrexInsure for risk coverage. GEPA will support exporters with market access strategies, while NEXIM is expected to enhance trade flows between Ghana and Nigeria.
Insights from the IATF revealed that Nigeria dominated deal volumes at the fair, a development GCB Bank says underscores the urgency for Ghanaian exporters to expand capacity and scale up operations. With its extensive nationwide branch network and growing digital footprint, the Bank is positioning itself as the country’s flagship trade finance institution.
“AfCFTA has opened a marketplace of 1.4 billion people, but Ghanaian businesses can only thrive if backed by a strong financial ecosystem,” the Bank said in a statement. “GCB is stepping into that role, bridging the gap between opportunity and execution.”
Established in 1953, GCB Bank operates 184 branches and 340 ATMs nationwide, supported by innovative digital solutions. The Bank has built a reputation as Ghana’s largest indigenous lender and continues to play a central role in financing individuals, SMEs, corporates, and institutions under its brand promise, “Your Bank for Life.”