Accra: Stanbic Bank Ghana joins BRIDGE-in Agriculture, an ambitious partnership involving Mastercard Foundation and CrossBoundary Advisory, to give Ghana's agricultural sector a major boost through support for agri-SMEs (small and medium enterprises).
According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative, Building Resilience and Investing in the Development and Growth of Entrepreneurs in Agriculture (BRIDGE-in Agriculture), seeks to unlock affordable funding, technical support, and training for entrepreneurs, particularly young women, and persons with disabilities operating within the agricultural value chain.
Marian Amartey, Head of Business Enablement for Business and Commercial Banking at Stanbic Bank, indicated at the official launch of the BRIDGE-in Agriculture initiative that the bank's strategic commitment aims to catalyze inclusive economic growth through deliberate collaboration. She emphasized that the partnership is seen as a strategic business imperative, with the bank playing a crucial role in providing access to affordable credit, advisory and technical support, and capacity-building initiatives to empower youth and women.
The BRIDGE-in Agriculture Programme addresses long-standing challenges faced by agribusinesses in Ghana, such as high-interest loans, limited access to tailored financial services, and capacity constraints. Through this initiative, commercial banks like Stanbic will offer credit to SMEs at single-digit interest rates, significantly reducing borrowing costs and enabling businesses to expand operations and create employment.
Miss Amartey also noted that the bank is challenged to develop tailored products that support SMEs in the agribusiness chain and contribute to national development. She highlighted the importance of designing client-focused solutions and moving beyond traditional banking models to address the needs of underserved communities effectively.
Samuel Okang-Boye, Head of Agribusiness at Stanbic Bank, reaffirmed the bank's commitment to transforming Ghana's agribusiness landscape as a key partner in the BRIDGE-in Agriculture Programme. He stated that the bank is focused on empowering young women between the ages of 18 and 35 by providing tailored financial and advisory support under the Program.
Okang-Boye explained that the initiative is not just about providing access to capital but also about transforming agribusinesses. Stanbic Bank offers affordable loans with a maximum interest rate of 7% and equips entrepreneurs with business development support, market access, and skills training to help them scale sustainably.
BRIDGE-in Agriculture, a Mastercard Foundation initiative delivered by a consortium led by CrossBoundary Advisory, targets agriculture and adjacent sectors to position agribusiness as a viable and attractive option for young people seeking dignified livelihoods. The Programme collaborates with commercial banks to ensure sustainable and scalable financial interventions and prioritizes inclusion by tailoring support for marginalized groups, especially young women and persons with disabilities. The BRIDGE-in Agriculture initiative is expected to directly impact hundreds of SMEs and indirectly impact thousands of livelihoods across the country.