On December 02, 2025, CapitalPlus Exchange Corporation (CapPlus) and Development Bank Ghana (DBG) signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the capacity of specialized deposit-taking institutions and deepen financing for youth-focused and micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) across Ghana.
Under this partnership, CapPlus and DBG will jointly support rural and community banks, savings and loans institutions, and other nonbank financial institutions to enhance their capacity to originate and disburse high-quality loans to priority sectors, including agriculture and MSME expansion.
This collaboration integrates FIRST+II’s four core workstreams of business development services for smallholders and MSMEs, transforming nonbank financial institutions to accelerate finance to the agriculture and MSME sectors, nimble capital interventions to further catalyze affordable MSME finance, and strengthening the enabling environment with DBG’s mandate to provide long-term, sustainable capital for inclusive growth. Through this partnership, the two organizations will provide technical assistance, capacity-building, risk reduction tools, and access to capital for financial institutions and their MSME clients.
Upon the signing, Richard Obuobi, FIRST+II Program Director, said:
We are excited to reach this important milestone after months of collaboration. Through our existing ecosystem of partners, we have seen first-hand the transformative impact that coordinated efforts can create. We are delighted to add DBG to this ecosystem as we share a common focus on strengthening financial institutions, and together we are well-positioned to expand access to finance, drive MSME growth, and create more opportunities for youth and women.”
Prof. Randolph Nsor-Ambala, Chief Executive Officer of DBG, added:
“There are systematic issues that need to be addressed, which is why this collaboration is essential. This partnership will help us prepare our financial institutions to be investor-ready. This will allow us to achieve our Sustainable Development Goals and promote inclusivity. We view this as the first step in a long-term relationship aimed at creating new models to support the next phase of Ghana’s economic transformation. Our mutual interest in eradicating poverty should drive our efforts.”
As outlined in the MoU, the partnership will:
• Support institutions in meeting DBG’s eligibility criteria and being onboarded as Participating Financial Institutions.
• Deploy technical assistance and capacity-building programs.
• Improve data integrity and reporting systems.
• Facilitate increased lending to smallholders, youth-owned enterprises, and women-led MSMEs.
The collaboration directly aligns with DBG’s mission to drive sustainable economic transformation and CapPlus’ vision of strengthening financial institutions and creating dignified employment opportunities for youth in Ghana.
About CapPlus
The Financial Institution Resilience and Strengthening (FIRST+II) Program, an initiative of CapitalPlus Exchange Corporation in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, aims to enhance financial inclusion for youth, especially women, and rural micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Ghana. By providing business development services to smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs while building the capacity of financial institutions to accelerate finance to them, FIRST+II fosters sustainable economic growth, strengthens resilience, and promotes inclusive development. Through strategic partnerships and innovative financing solutions, the program empowers MSMEs and high-impact enterprises to create and improve jobs for young women and men and contribute to local economies, ultimately improving livelihoods and reducing poverty.
For more information, visit www.first.capplus.org.
About Development Bank Ghana
Development Bank Ghana (DBG) is a wholesale development finance institution established by the Government of Ghana to provide long-term capital that drives inclusive and sustainable economic growth. DBG supports financial institutions to expand access to finance for Ghanaian businesses, with a focus on strategic sectors such as agribusiness, manufacturing, ICT, and high-value services, including education, health, tourism, and transport.
Working through partner financial institutions, DBG combines funding with capacity building and technical assistance to help banks and other lenders design and scale products that meet the needs of MSMEs and high-impact enterprises. The bank is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It applies a robust environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework to ensure that its financing creates shared value and long-term impact for people, businesses, and communities.
For more information, visit the Development Bank Ghana website.
