Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands arrives in Ghana on November 2, as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health (UNSGSA). She will push banks, fintechs and policymakers to turn Ghana’s high financial inclusion into stronger household finances.
Ghana is one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s financial inclusion success stories, with more than 8 in 10 people financially included, according to the Global Findex 2025. But the 2021 FinScope Survey found that only 22% of adults are financially healthy. That means being able to manage day-to-day finances, withstand shocks, invest in future goals and build financial confidence.
The visit runs until 5 November and will test whether Ghana’s digital leadership and innovation can close that gap.
From market stalls to boardrooms
On November 3, Queen Máxima will meet farmers to discuss how shocks such as poor harvests hit livelihoods, and how affordable credit and insurance can cushion them. She will also visit a fruit processing facility to discuss agricultural value addition and workplace financial health measures.
She will meet patients, community health workers and providers at a hospital to learn how digital tools help manage unexpected health costs, with PharmAccess presenting emerging health financing models. At Makola market, she will meet women traders using fintech Affinity’s savings, credit and insurance products, and hold a focus group with microentrepreneurs organised by Opportunity International.
Investors, regulators and long-term finance
On November 4, she will hold talks with major investors in Ghana. The Bank of Ghana will then host a roundtable with senior financial sector leaders and policymakers on making financial health a commercial and leadership priority. Participants will identify practical steps for banks, fintechs and mobile network operators to help households manage money, withstand shocks and invest.
A World Bank Group roundtable will examine how inclusive pensions and capital market participation can strengthen long-term financial security. In the afternoon, she will travel to Kumasi to meet the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and paramount chiefs.
New strategy on November 5
The government will host a national event on 5 November to announce a new financial sector development strategy with financial health as a core goal. Queen Máxima will join a fireside chat there. She will also meet President John Dramani Mahama, Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku.
The visit builds on earlier meetings with Ghanaian leaders, including at the 81st UN General Assembly and the 2026 IMF/World Bank Group Spring Meetings.
