Government has renewed calls for Ghana to accelerate its transition from an import-driven economy to one anchored on value addition and export competitiveness, as stakeholders gathered for the GEXIM@10 International Conference in Accra.

The event, organised by the Ghana Export-Import Bank and led by its Chief Executive, Sylvester Adinam Mensah, brought together representatives of development finance institutions, export credit agencies, as well as leaders from the financial and industrial sectors.

Addressing participants on March 26, 2026, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang underscored the strategic rationale behind the establishment of the Bank under President John Dramani Mahama in 2016.

Ghana EXIM Bank targets export-led growth to curb import dependence

“Ghana’s pursuit of sustainable prosperity demands a deliberate shift from an import-driven economy to one anchored on value addition and export competitiveness,” she said.

“It is this strategic imperative that informed Government’s decision to establish the Ghana Export-Import Bank in 2016 to finance production, support industry, and position Ghana to export finished goods rather than raw materials,” she added.

A decade after its establishment, the GEXIM Bank has been described as “proof of that vision,” with measurable impact on export-led growth and industrial development.

The Vice President further highlighted the need to strengthen Ghana’s financial architecture to support long-term economic transformation.

“Ghana’s long-term prosperity depends on strengthening its financial architecture to support production, value addition, and export competitiveness,” she noted.

The Vice President emphasised the urgency of diversification against the backdrop of global economic uncertainty, including trade tensions, shifting supply chains, and climate-related risks.

“In a global environment marked by trade tensions, shifting supply chains, and climate challenges, diversification is no longer optional but essential,” she noted.

The address also pointed to opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, stressing the importance of improving access to finance, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Looking ahead, the next phase of GEXIM’s mandate is expected to prioritise expanded export financing, industrial capacity development, and innovation.

“GEXIM’s next decade must focus on expanding export financing, strengthening industrial capacity, embracing innovation and digital transformation, and building resilient partnerships across government, the private sector, and development partners,” she stated.

The Vice President noted that the anniversary should serve “not only as a celebration of progress but also as a clear call to action for building a more competitive, diversified, and inclusive economy.”

Government also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the Bank as a central pillar of Ghana’s economic transformation agenda, while commending both past and current leadership for their contributions over the past decade.