Absa Bank Offers Ghana’s Lowest SME Lending Rate at 17.03%
Absa Bank Ghana has emerged as the least expensive lender to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for one-year facilities, posting an average annualised percentage rate (APR) of 17.03 per cent, according to the Bank of Ghana’s June 2025 lending rate report.
At the other end of the scale, Consolidated Bank Ghana charged the highest rate for similar SME loans at 45.13 per cent.
The APR represents the total cost of borrowing, incorporating the Ghana Reference Rate, institution-specific risk premia and ancillary fees.
The report is intended to provide a more accurate picture of the financial burden facing borrowers than nominal interest rates alone.
The data highlights significant variations in SME borrowing costs across the banking sector, a disparity that could shape access to credit for smaller businesses amid tightening financial conditions.