By Kofi AHOVI
The Executive Vice President and CEO of International Finance Corporation (IFC), Lars Thunell, has assured IFC’s commitment to increasing its activities to support Ghana's sustainable economic growth.
IFC plans to work more closely with the World Bank, the government and the private sector to create more opportunities for entrepreneurs and business in the country.
Thunell made the assurance during an interaction with the media and a section of IFC’s local partners during a visit to Ghana last week.
“IFC will support Ghana’s commitment to rapid development with robust private sector investments,” said Thunell.
He added that, to have the largest impact, IFC has worked closely with the World Bank to develop new initiatives that leverage its strengths and improve the lives of the Ghanaians.
He explained that the IFC is collaborating with government of Ghana and the World Bank’s International Development Association to provide credit and advisory services to micro, small and medium enterprises.
Earlier, he also met with senior government officials including the vice President, John, Finance Minister and the governor of the Bank of Ghana.
IFC has rapidly increased its investment and advisory services programme in Ghana, making IFC the third-largest investment portfolio in Africa at the end of last year, after South Africa and Nigeria.
IFC’s current investment portfolio in Ghana totals about US$533 million. IFC also implements numerous advisory services programme in the country including projects to support smaller businesses, ease access to finance and improve education.
IFC’s strategy for Ghana focuses on supporting the development of infrastructure in the oil and gas, mining and telecoms sectors; providing the appropriate tools to build and deepen the financial sector; expanding financing and advisory services to micro, small and medium enterprises; and proactive support for agriculture in both cash and food crops, through direct and wholesale investments.
It has so far supported Tullow Oil and Komos Energy with US$115 million and US$100 million respectively. Also, in partnership with IDA and the government of Ghana, IFC has provided a loan of GHc17.2 million to help Ecobank increase lending to SMEs in the country.
The IFC boss would also visit Cote d’Ivoire and Mali, where he is expected to meet with private sector partners and government officials. In Mali, he will participate in discussions on replenishing IDA funds and increasing collaboration across the World Bank.
The Executive Vice President and CEO of International Finance Corporation (IFC), Lars Thunell, has assured IFC’s commitment to increasing its activities to support Ghana's sustainable economic growth.
IFC plans to work more closely with the World Bank, the government and the private sector to create more opportunities for entrepreneurs and business in the country.
Thunell made the assurance during an interaction with the media and a section of IFC’s local partners during a visit to Ghana last week.
“IFC will support Ghana’s commitment to rapid development with robust private sector investments,” said Thunell.
He added that, to have the largest impact, IFC has worked closely with the World Bank to develop new initiatives that leverage its strengths and improve the lives of the Ghanaians.
He explained that the IFC is collaborating with government of Ghana and the World Bank’s International Development Association to provide credit and advisory services to micro, small and medium enterprises.
Earlier, he also met with senior government officials including the vice President, John, Finance Minister and the governor of the Bank of Ghana.
IFC has rapidly increased its investment and advisory services programme in Ghana, making IFC the third-largest investment portfolio in Africa at the end of last year, after South Africa and Nigeria.
IFC’s current investment portfolio in Ghana totals about US$533 million. IFC also implements numerous advisory services programme in the country including projects to support smaller businesses, ease access to finance and improve education.
IFC’s strategy for Ghana focuses on supporting the development of infrastructure in the oil and gas, mining and telecoms sectors; providing the appropriate tools to build and deepen the financial sector; expanding financing and advisory services to micro, small and medium enterprises; and proactive support for agriculture in both cash and food crops, through direct and wholesale investments.
It has so far supported Tullow Oil and Komos Energy with US$115 million and US$100 million respectively. Also, in partnership with IDA and the government of Ghana, IFC has provided a loan of GHc17.2 million to help Ecobank increase lending to SMEs in the country.
The IFC boss would also visit Cote d’Ivoire and Mali, where he is expected to meet with private sector partners and government officials. In Mali, he will participate in discussions on replenishing IDA funds and increasing collaboration across the World Bank.
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