The Bank of Ghana has called on Standard Chartered Bank Ghana to expand access to finance, deepen support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and position itself to capture opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as the bank marked its 130th anniversary in Accra.
Second Deputy Governor Matilda Asante-Asiedu delivered remarks on behalf of Governor Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama at Standard Chartered’s anniversary dinner, describing the bank’s 130-year history in the country as “a story of vision, resilience, innovation, and trust.” The Governor commended Standard Chartered’s enduring contribution to Ghana’s banking sector and broader economic development, framing the institution’s longevity as a marker of credibility in a market that has, in recent years, undergone significant financial sector reform.
The Governor’s remarks situated the anniversary against a backdrop of improving macroeconomic conditions, noting that inflation remains low and “well-anchored,” investor confidence has strengthened, and the relative stability of the Ghana cedi is creating conditions for stronger growth and renewed opportunities. This reflects the central bank’s broader public messaging in recent months, as it has sought to reinforce confidence in Ghana’s macroeconomic trajectory following a period of sustained disinflation and currency appreciation.
The Governor’s statement carried a clear policy directive. Standard Chartered was encouraged to “continue investing boldly in Ghana’s future” by expanding access to finance, supporting innovation, empowering SMEs, and leveraging the opportunities presented by AfCFTA. The call places Standard Chartered, one of Ghana’s longest-established international banks, within the wider national conversation around closing the country’s SME financing gap and positioning Ghanaian businesses to compete across the continental free trade area’s combined market.
The Governor closed with a reflective note tied to the milestone itself: “As you mark 130 years of excellence, may you draw inspiration from your proud history, confidence from your achievements, and courage from the opportunities that lie ahead.”
The remarks position Standard Chartered’s anniversary not simply as a corporate celebration, but as a moment for the Bank of Ghana to reaffirm its expectations of the country’s established financial institutions, particularly around SME lending and trade finance, at a time when the broader economy is being asked to convert macroeconomic stability into tangible private sector growth.
