Ecobank deepens support for agriculture with dedicated expertise and training – Charlotte Amanquah

Ecobank is intensifying its support for Ghana's agricultural sector by leveraging dedicated resources, specialized expertise, staff training, and technical assistance. This strategic emphasis on agriculture was articulated by Charlotte Amanquah, Regional Head of Consumer and Commercial Banking for Anglophone West Africa, during a recent Ecobank-Joybusiness financial dialogue series on September 22.

Agriculture remains a top priority for the group, with significant investments directed towards building the necessary expertise to serve businesses within the sector.

At the dialogue titled "Green Finance, Real Impact: Powering Inclusive Agri-Growth in Ghana," Amanquah emphasized that Ecobank's strategy is deeply rooted in ensuring it has the right people and expertise internally, including recruiting professionals who possess both agricultural and banking knowledge. The bank invests in regular training for its staff, particularly for those involved in customer interactions and risk assessment.

This training is crucial as the banking sector grapples with concerns about the perceived risks associated with agricultural lending. Amanquah explained that the bank's risk assessment teams, through agriculture-specific training, are better equipped to identify and manage these risks effectively.

The commitment to agricultural expertise permeates Ecobank's leadership, with the strategy being supported across various levels of the organization. Beyond financing, Ecobank also focuses on strengthening its customers' capacity through technical assistance and other forms of support. This approach is underpinned by the bank's extensive network of customers across diverse markets, which allows for the sharing of experiences and lessons learned, fostering a collaborative environment for growth.

Significantly, a substantial portion of Ecobank's technical assistance programs is funded through partnerships with development institutions. These partnerships provide Ecobank with guarantees, concessional funding, and grants aimed at enhancing both the bank's capacity and that of its customers. Amanquah described Ecobank's approach as holistic, integrating financial resources, technical assistance, staff expertise, and customer capacity building to foster inclusive growth in Ghana's agricultural sector.