The Development Bank Ghana (DBG) has disbursed more than GH¢2.5 billion to businesses since its inception, targeting sectors where private capital has struggled to step in. Chief Executive Officer Prof. Randolph Nsor‑Ambala told Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition that over 60 % of the bank’s disbursements have gone to women‑led and women‑owned businesses, while more than half have been channelled into agribusiness, agriculture and manufacturing.
He added that about 40 % of the disbursements earmarked for the energy transition have been allocated to micro, small and medium enterprises. “Our interventions focus on agriculture, manufacturing, ICT and what we call high‑value services such as education, health, transportation and tourism,” he said.
DBG has worked with almost 1,000 businesses to date, with about half located outside the Greater Accra Region. The bank’s financing priorities are based on studies that identify sectors capable of driving sustainable and inclusive growth. “These sectors have significant growth potential but face market failures and binding constraints that require deliberate intervention,” Nsor‑Ambala explained.
Agriculture has emerged as a major beneficiary. The bank’s investments target entire value chains—maize, rice, cassava, sorghum and poultry—rather than isolated businesses, aiming to create decent jobs, improve food security and reduce import pressures. “These are the areas that have taken a chunk of our investments because our analytics show they contribute to our ability to achieve the very parameters I’ve spoken about,” he said.
Development partners supporting DBG have expressed satisfaction with the bank’s performance over the past five years. “The Minister for Finance, for example, says, ‘I expect a lot more from you guys, but I’m happy that you’ve held your own,’” Nsor‑Ambala noted.
Going forward, DBG plans to expand its footprint to every region in Ghana, continuing its focus on sectors that underpin the country’s industrialisation ambitions.
