The African Development Bank (AfDB) has concluded a high-level week-long strategic mission to Ghana, marking its first official engagement with President John Dramani Mahama’s new government.
The visit reflects the Bank’s commitment to aligning its development support with Ghana’s national priorities, particularly in infrastructure, industrial transformation, and innovative local financing mechanisms.
Led by Solomon Quaynor, Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization, the AfDB delegation engaged with key ministries, regulatory bodies, public institutions, and private sector stakeholders.
Discussions centred on unlocking long-term local capital, supporting digital transformation, and advancing Ghana’s industrial base.
The institutions consulted included the Ministries of Roads and Highways; Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation; the Bank of Ghana; Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority; Volta River Authority; the National Pension Regulatory Authority; the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF); and the Ghana Stock Exchange, among others.
As part of the mission, the Bank co-hosted a high-level forum titled “Unlocking Long-Term Local Finance for Infrastructure in Ghana”, in collaboration with GIIF, the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), InfraCredit, PetraTrust, and Stanbic Bank.
The forum aimed to chart a national strategy to mobilise domestic capital, particularly pension assets, for infrastructure financing.
Building on successful models from Nigeria and Kenya, the AfDB pledged to work with local partners to establish credit enhancement and risk mitigation mechanisms that would unlock a portion of pension fund resources for critical infrastructure projects.
The Bank also pledged strong support for Ghana’s “24-Hour Economy” initiative, promising assistance in industrial estate development, project preparation, and downstream financing.
Focus areas include agribusiness, light manufacturing, textiles, and river transport along the Volta Economic Corridor.
In the digital sector, the AfDB will work with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Innovation to review data governance frameworks, bolster cybersecurity infrastructure, and enhance digital regulatory environments.
Beyond infrastructure, the mission identified significant investment opportunities in logistics, energy, agriculture, and agro-industry—highlighting the centrality of the private sector in driving inclusive and sustainable growth.
“The enthusiasm, vision, and commitment we have seen this week from Ghanaian authorities and stakeholders give us great confidence in the transformative potential we can achieve together,” said Solomon Quaynor.
A statement issued by the Bank confirmed that the mission concluded with firm commitments to action, underscoring AfDB’s dedication to forging impactful partnerships for Ghana’s long-term economic and social transformation.
The delegation included top-level officials such as Eyerusalem Fasika, Country Manager for Ghana; Mike Salawou, Director of Infrastructure and Urban Development; and Akane Zoukpo Sanankoua, Head of Capital Markets Development, among others.
