On January 29, 2025, the Stakeholder Validation Workshop on Ghana’s Enabling Environment for Equipment Leasing was successfully held at Alisa Hotel, Ridge, Accra. Organized by CapitalPlus Exchange (CapPlus) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Bank of Ghana, financial institutions, and key stakeholders, the workshop reviewed findings from a CapPlus study led by its leasing expert Stephen Strauss on Ghana’s legal, regulatory, and operational leasing environment. The focus was on opportunities to expand equipment leasing for smallholder farmers and small businesses (MSMEs) as a viable financial instrument.

The workshop engaged representatives from the Mastercard Foundation, Bank of Ghana, financial institutions, leasing companies, and industry experts to discuss:

• The current legal and regulatory framework for leasing, including challenges in contract enforcement and asset recovery.

• The potential for nonbank financial institutions (NBFIs) to expand leasing services to MSMEs and the agriculture sector.

• The need to create a more accessible and efficient leasing environment, addressing issues such as funding and risk management.

Key recommendations included reforming the legal and regulatory framework, facilitating easier asset recovery, and encouraging NBFIs to develop leasing products for the agricultural sector. Stakeholders emphasized the need for collaboration to address barriers and improve financing access. Moving forward, an action plan will be developed focusing on policy reforms, capacity building for financial institutions, and collaborative financing models to drive sustainable growth and financial inclusion.

Richard Obuobi, FIRST+II Program Director, highlighted that leasing has the potential to unlock economic opportunities for smallholder farmers and MSMEs, driving productivity and job creation. He emphasized the importance of stakeholder collaboration in shaping an inclusive and sustainable leasing environment in Ghana.

This workshop marked a significant step in strengthening Ghana’s leasing sector, ensuring small businesses and farmers can access the equipment they need to grow and thrive. Further discussions and collaborative efforts will continue to drive implementation of the recommendations.