Strong trade policies only matter when they translate into real transactions for businesses.
That was the position GCB Bank PLC took to the GEXIM@10 International Conference, where the bank called for stronger, earlier collaboration between EXIM banks and commercial banks to ensure trade policies deliver real export outcomes.
At the conference, which marked the 10th anniversary of the Ghana Export‑Import Bank, the Bank’s contribution focused on execution, how policy intent can move beyond frameworks and into completed trade deals that support exporters and grow the economy.
This perspective was shared by Aurelia Baaba Ofori Odame, Head of Afro‑Asia Banking and State‑Owned Enterprises at GCB Bank, during a panel discussion themed “From Policy to Export Performance: How EXIM Banks Build National Trade Competitiveness.” Drawing on her experience working with a commercial bank and closely with exporters, she emphasised that early, structured collaboration is critical to successful trade financing.
She explained that while policy frameworks provide an important foundation, their true value lies in how effectively they are implemented. Engaging commercial banks early in the financing process, she noted, allows risks to be identified and addressed upfront, increasing the likelihood of successful execution for exporters.
On intra‑African trade, she acknowledged the significant opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), while noting that more work is required to fully position Ghanaian businesses to take advantage of them.
As a practical demonstration of our support for cross‑border trade, she pointed to GCB Bank’s milestone achievement as the first bank in Africa to process a live transaction on the Pan‑African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).
The GEXIM@10 Conference, held at the Kempinski Gold Coast City Hotel, brought together leaders in trade, finance and economic policy from across Africa. High‑level participation included Vice‑President Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Asiamah, and representatives from the IFC, African Development Bank Group and Development Bank Ghana.
GCB’s, participation in GEXIM@10 went beyond dialogue. It reinforced their role as a practical partner in Ghana’s trade finance ecosystem, focused on enabling real transactions, supporting exporters, and contributing meaningfully to export‑led growth.
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