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GCB Bank PLC has called for a stronger alignment between trade policy and execution, urging stakeholders to prioritise practical frameworks that translate into real export transactions.
The bank made this position known at the GEXIM@10 International Conference, held to mark the 10th anniversary of Ghana Export-Import Bank, where discussions centred on enhancing trade competitiveness and financing across Africa.
Speaking during a panel session themed “From Policy to Export Performance: How EXIM Banks Build National Trade Competitiveness,” Aurelia Baaba Ofori Odame, Head of Afro-Asia Banking and State-Owned Enterprises at GCB Bank, emphasised the importance of early and structured collaboration between export-import (EXIM) banks and commercial banks.
Drawing on her experience in trade finance, she noted that while policy frameworks provide a necessary foundation, their impact ultimately depends on effective implementation. According to her, involving commercial banks at the early stages of trade financing enables better risk identification and improves the likelihood of successful deal execution for exporters.
She further highlighted the growing opportunities within intra-African trade, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area, while acknowledging that more work is required to fully position Ghanaian businesses to benefit from the agreement.
As part of its commitment to enabling cross-border trade, GCB Bank referenced its milestone achievement as the first African bank to process a live transaction on the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System—a platform designed to facilitate seamless payments across the continent.
The conference, held at the Kempinski Gold Coast City Hotel, brought together key stakeholders from across Africa’s trade and finance ecosystem, including policymakers, development finance institutions, and multilateral organisations.
Beyond participating in discussions, GCB Bank positioned itself as a practical enabler within Ghana’s trade finance landscape—focused on supporting exporters, facilitating transactions, and advancing export-led economic growth.
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