How GhISP unlocks investment

Ghana’s SMEs form the backbone of the country’s economy and employ the majority of its workforce. But these companies face persistent barriers to growth. According to the SME Finance Forum, around three quarters of Ghana’s SMEs face some level of financial restraint. This means a huge volume of missed commercial and development impact potential. GhISP exists to help unlock this potential.

Powered by British International Investment (BII), we work to increase investment flows to SMEs in Ghana through pipeline development, capacity building, and matchmaking activities. We also focus on driving gender-smart investing (the 2X Challenge), diversity lens investing (Black Owned and Leadership for Development/ BOLD) and climate finance through our work with private capital funds and transaction advisors.

GhISP also supports capital providers to expand investment in SMEs by strengthening the supply of capital. We are working with Ghana’s pension funds to channel more investment into local private capital intermediaries that finance SMEs, while also supporting financial institutions to attract investment and scale up SME lending.

Boosting Ghana’s SME sector will help increase productivity, sustainability and inclusivity to ultimately result in transformational environmental impact and grow jobs and income. 

GhISP technical assistance

GhISP has established a dedicated pool of technical assistance providers with in-depth knowledge of the Ghanaian investment landscape.

Through our pre- and post-investment support, we help SMEs get investment-ready and connect them to capital, supporting investments for Growth Investment Partners (GIP), other BII investees, and fund managers in Ghana to enhance development impact and strengthen returns.

Learn more about GhISP and our criteria for technical assistance here.  

Eden Tree: Pre-investment technical assistance

What we did Delivery of retail expansion strategy through the last mile programme; strategic advisory highlighted the importance of succession planning to ensure long-term sustainability.

What Eden Tree did Eden Tree surpassed its $1 million revenue target and exceeded its retail expansion goal by operating in over 25 stores, significantly boosting its visibility and positioning for investment. As a result, Eden Tree has entered GIP’s investment pipeline.

Flossel Farms: Pre-investment technical assistance

What we did GhISP partner, KPMG, delivered an assessment report outlining recommendations for improvements to corporate governance.,

What Flossel Farms did Flossel Farms initiated changes to improve its governance. As a result, they received Expression of Interest from GIP after meeting initial screening requirements.

Market creation

To address systemic constraints, GhISP strengthens Ghana’s private capital and broader investment ecosystem to drive greater investment in SMEs.

On the demand side, we support pipeline development, investment readiness and deal matchmaking. On the supply side, we work with private capital investors and financial institutions to mobilise investment and expand SME financing, while also supporting pension funds to increase their allocations to private capital investors in Ghana.

Through our partnerships with key ecosystem actors, we help shape the investment landscape to increase impact for target populations that is:

Inclusive: sharing the benefits of higher productivity and greater sustainability with poor and marginalised sections of society.

Sustainable: transforming the economy to reduce emissions, protect the environment and adapt to the changing climate.

Productive: raising the productivity of an economy so that it can support a decent standard of living for all.

GhISP partners

  • The SME Advisory Campaign

    The SME Advisory Campaign was launched to enhance advisory and tax services for SMEs in Ghana, starting with a collaboration with the ‘Big Four’. This initiative aims to bolster capital-raising efforts for SMEs by improving their investment readiness.

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  • Ghana Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (GVCA)

    GhISP collaborates with GVCA on institutional strengthening and strategic planning for fund managers and transaction advisers.

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  • Pangea Global Ventures

    Our partnership with Pangea Global Ventures focuses on catalysing private capital flow through industry associations.

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  • AVCA - The African Private Capital Association

    GhISP’s partnership with AVCA focuses on strengthening Ghana’s pensions and private capital sectors, enhancing institutional investor capacity and promoting private equity and venture capital investments.

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  • Impact Investing Ghana (IIGh)

    GhISP works with Impact Investing Ghana to strengthen capacity among fund managers and transaction advisors.

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