Sylvester Mensah is the CEO of the Ghana EXIM Bank
Chief Executive of the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank, Sylvester A Mensah, has challenged Ghanaian exporters in agribusiness not to only seek to compete with other brands in their product categories but strive to be global market leaders.
According to him, it is important that “Ghanaian producers are not only equipped to compete but are empowered to lead.”
He made the remarks at the opening of the Ghana Horticulture Expo 2025 at the Accra International Conference Centre on June 11, 2025, where hundreds of exporters and policy makers are meeting over a 3-day period to share ideas and showcase their products and hopefully direct government policy to address challenges they identify.
Mensah reiterated his bank’s commitment to assisting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the export space to meet international standards and excel in the global marketplace.
He envisioned that “the future of Ghana’s agriculture lies in transforming it into a value-driven, youth-led, technology-enabled sector. We must reimagine Ghana as a competitive agro-industrial enclave, where quality, innovation, and export readiness define our national brand.”
While assuring the gathering of his outfit’s partnership with exporters, Mr Mensah stated that the Ghana EXIM Bank is not “just a financier, we are catalysts for transformation. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with government agencies, industry associations, and the private sector to make this vision a reality.”
According to him, “our support for agribusinesses has intensified. Through specialized facilities such as our Export Trade Facility, Receivables Discounting Scheme, and Provisional Guarantee Instruments, GEXIM has enhanced access to working capital for exporters, improved liquidity, and de-risked investment in agricultural value chains.”
The bank, he said, is especially focused on enabling SMEs and youth-led agribusinesses to scale production and meet export standards; and investing in agro-processing and cold chain logistics that reduce post-harvest losses and improve value addition.
He further mentioned GEXIM’s interest in strategic trade financing to help Ghanaian producers access and expand into regional and global markets.
Mensah encouraged the exporters not to overlook progress made.
According to him, “Ghana’s horticultural exports continue to gain global recognition. From pineapples and mangoes to chillies, coconuts, and yams — Ghanaian produce now stands as a mark of quality. Recent international trade missions, such as our participation at Fruit Logistica and Macfrut, have secured hundreds of millions in export orders — a testament to the credibility and competitiveness of our exporters.”
He said GEXIM was open for business.
“Our doors are open, and we will be happy to hear from you and collaborate with you. We have at GEXIM a dedicated team that provides advisory services to help position you properly in the marketplace and enhance your competitive advantage,” he courted.
President John Mahama launched the 3-day expo and called for bold investments, innovative thinking, and strategic partnerships in the agribusiness value chain. He said Ghana was ready to become Africa’s leader in agricultural transformation.
“Ghana is ready to grow, export and lead Africa’s agricultural transformation,” he announced.
According to him, “our goal is not just food security but economic security through agriculture, seek ye first the productive economy. Let us grow Ghana one fruit, one field, and one future at a time.”
The event, under the theme, “Innovate, Transform, Sustain: Driving Growth in Ghana’s Horticultural Sector”, was organised by the Federation of Association of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE), and brought together hundreds of farmers, traditional rulers, business leaders and policy makers mainly in the agribusiness value chain, and financial institutions
