GCB Bank Steps up as Ghana’s Flagship Trade Partner in Africa
GCB Bank PLC is solidifying its position as a leading enabler of cross-border trade in Africa, riding on partnerships with Afreximbank, Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), and Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) to prepare Ghanaian exporters for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
At the recently concluded Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) in Algiers, Africa showcased the scale of its trade ambition like never before. With 20 Heads of State in attendance, 132 participating countries, and $48.3 billion worth of trade and investment deals announced, the fair set new records and reinforced AfCFTA’s momentum.
But amid the scale, one gap stood out: the relative absence of African commercial banks and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs). Afreximbank President, Prof. Benedict Oramah, urged greater participation from the continent’s financial institutions to provide the backbone for intra-African trade. For GCB Bank, Ghana’s largest indigenous lender, this call presents both an opportunity and a responsibility.
“Ghanaian exporters cannot afford to lag behind while competitors scale up,” noted 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 distinguished itself as a pioneer in trade payments, becoming the first bank in Africa to complete a transaction on the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). Today, PAPSS is integrated into the Bank’s mobile app, giving businesses a simple, secure way to transact across borders without the hurdles of currency conversions or delays.
The Bank’s vision, however, goes beyond payments. Drawing from insights at IATF, GCB is moving to design tailored solutions such as factoring, value chain financing, and a dedicated AfCFTA Export Desk to support Ghanaian businesses. Working with Afreximbank, exporters gain access to trade guarantees and platforms like MANSA (a pan-African customer due diligence repository for financial institutions, corporate entities and SMEs) and AfrexInsure, while GEPA provides market entry and NEXIM expands Ghana-Nigeria trade corridors.
Nigeria led in deal volumes at IATF 2025, a signal that Ghanaian exporters must scale with urgency. With the largest nationwide branch network and a growing digital footprint, GCB is positioning itself as Ghana’s flagship trade bank, one that not only finances exports but also advocates for policies that reduce barriers for SMEs and foster continental competitiveness.
For Ghana, the stakes are clear. AfCFTA has opened a 1.4 billion-person marketplace, but exporters will only thrive if they are backed by a strong financial ecosystem. GCB Bank is stepping into that role, bridging the gap between opportunity and execution.
GCB Bank is a leading player in Ghana’s banking industry with 184 branches, 340 ATMs complemented by various innovative digital solutions. With the largest branch network in Ghana, GCB Bank is closely associated with hundreds of communities where the Bank not only offers day-to-day financial services but also provides the needed social support. As Ghana’s premier indigenous bank, GCB has since its establishment in 1953, contributed significantly to helping individuals, SMEs, corporates and institutions to achieve financial wellbeing and meet their banking needs. The Bank’s relationship with its clients and other stakeholders is delivered on a platform of trust, support and collaboration and anchored through its brand promise, “Your Bank for Life”.
