Accra, March 30, – Ghana and the United Kingdom have partnered to develop a digital trade finance network, Neofingo, aimed at closing Ghana’s estimated $7 billion trade finance gap and boosting small business exports.
The initiative, led by ODI Global in collaboration with Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy Authority and the AfCFTA Secretariat, was unveiled at a joint forum held in Accra and London, bringing together stakeholders in finance, policy and digital innovation.
Neofingo is designed as a Digital Trade Finance Corridor linking UK neobanks with Ghanaian and African fintech ecosystems, enabling seamless access to trade finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The platform will connect Ghanaian exporters to global financial systems, including diaspora networks, while leveraging existing frameworks such as the AfCFTA digital trade infrastructure and the London–Accra trade platform.
Ghana’s trade finance gap—part of a wider deficit across sub-Saharan Africa—has been driven not only by limited capital but also by weakened trust systems, including reduced access to correspondent banking services. This has made it difficult for SMEs to secure critical instruments such as letters of credit.
Neofingo aims to address these constraints by enabling secure digital documentation, compliance systems and financing tools, supported by Ghana’s fintech-friendly policies, the UK Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023, and international standards.
Mr Augustus Goosie Tanoh, Presidential Adviser on the 24-Hour Economy, said the initiative would democratise access to trade finance, allowing smaller exporters to compete globally.
Dr Sara Pantuliano, Chief Executive of ODI Global, noted that effective implementation of AfCFTA digital trade protocols could significantly boost Ghana’s economy and job creation.
Mr Ben Ainsley, Deputy Trade Commissioner at the British High Commission, said the corridor would deepen UK–Ghana economic ties by adding a financial infrastructure layer to existing historical and commercial connections.
The forum brought together financial institutions, fintech leaders, policymakers and SMEs to explore implementation pathways for the corridor.
GHBUSS
30 March 2026
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