Credit Kekeli K. Blamey
In a bold move to catalyze Ghana’s industrial transformation, the African Development Bank (AfDB) is launching a new financial facility designed to unlock billions in dormant institutional capital, particularly pension funds to fuel large-scale infrastructure and industrial development projects across the country.
With over $5.2 billion in pension assets currently under management in Ghana, the AfDB sees untapped potential in redirecting a portion of these funds into the real economy. The bank’s upcoming credit enhancement and de-risking facility aims to bridge the trust gap between domestic investors and large-scale projects traditionally viewed as high-risk.
Solomon Quaynor, AfDB Vice President for Infrastructure and Industrialization, emphasized that the initiative is not just about financing, but about creating a sustainable investment ecosystem led by local capital.
“Our objective is to build mechanisms that allow Ghana’s own institutional investors to become key players in national development,” Quaynor stated. “Through credit enhancement tools, we will reduce project risk, making long-term investments more attractive and feasible for pension funds and other asset managers.”
The facility will also align closely with Ghana’s policy to establish a 24-hour economy, providing structured support in project preparation, industrial park development, and downstream financing.
One of the standout opportunities includes the development of integrated industrial zones focused on textiles, garments, and light manufacturing—sectors that promise job creation and increased export potential. Flagship initiatives like the Volta Economic Corridor are also set to benefit.
By leveraging Ghana’s domestic capital for nation-building, the AfDB’s move signals a shift toward self-reliant economic growth models rooted in local ownership and strategic investment.
