The Ghana Investment Support Programme (GhISP) has announced Norwegian development finance institution Norfund as its newest co-funder in a move expected to significantly strengthen support for Ghanaian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The latest partnership comes just months after Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) joined the programme, signalling growing international confidence in GhISP’s model of helping businesses become investment-ready and attract institutional capital.
👉🏽 Join 15,000+ readers online now. Join our WhatsApp Daily News Channel for breaking updates.
Speaking on the partnership, Norfund’s Regional Director for West Africa, Naana Winful Fynn, highlighted the strategic alignment between GhISP and Norfund’s broader investment mission across Africa.
“By helping SMEs institutionalise and become more investment ready, GhISP contributes to making businesses more able to attract capital from institutional investors and also contributes to building a stronger pipeline of businesses for institutional investors, thus catalysing private sector growth,” she said.
New Momentum for SME Investment in Ghana
The collaboration is expected to deepen financing opportunities for underserved businesses in Ghana, particularly firms focused on inclusion, gender impact and climate investment.
Norfund’s entry also strengthens ties with Growth Investment Partners (GIP), an investment platform established by British International Investment (BII). GhISP already works closely with GIP by delivering tailored pre- and post-investment support to SMEs while helping businesses connect with capital providers.
Last month, Norfund invested in GIP as part of a broader effort to strengthen Ghana’s investment ecosystem. GIP recently welcomed both Norfund and Axis Pension Trust Ltd as new shareholders with a combined $20 million commitment during its Capital in Motion event.
GhISP Facilitates $9 Million in SME Deals
Since its launch, GhISP has provided technical assistance support to 15 SMEs across Ghana. The programme says this assistance has already helped facilitate six investment deals worth a combined $9 million.
With Norfund officially joining the initiative, GhISP expects to expand its reach and unlock more financing opportunities for promising Ghanaian businesses that often struggle to access institutional investment.
The initiative is designed to strengthen private sector development in Ghana while helping businesses scale sustainably and improve long-term economic impact.
Why This Story Matters
Access to funding remains one of the biggest challenges facing SMEs in Ghana despite the sector contributing significantly to employment and economic activity. International partnerships like this help bridge financing gaps while improving corporate governance, investment readiness and long-term sustainability for local businesses.
The move also reflects rising global investor interest in Ghana’s private sector and signals confidence in the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem despite broader economic pressures.
For more business and economic updates, visit The Economy of Ghana, Ghana News, Ghana News Live, Top Stories, Policy & Law Hub and Press & Media.
Follow Ghana Media on Facebook and Ghana News Facebook for more breaking stories. Watch exclusive trending videos via Ghana Media Telegram.
Support GhanaMedia or promote your event via our ticket platform.
