In many conversations about financial inclusion, the spotlight often falls on the end beneficiary: the market woman, young entrepreneur, or small business owner. But behind every loan disbursed, business expanded, and livelihood improved, there is a financial institution that is responsive, forward-looking, financially sound, and well-managed. This is where the story of Ahantaman Community Bank PLC and CapPlus’ FIRST+II program begins – not with products, but with its systems.
In the FIRST+II partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, CapPlus and CDC Group set out to strengthen Ghanaian financial institutions so they can sustainably serve those who need them most.
When Ahantaman Community Bank was selected to participate in FIRST+II, the focus was clear – to move beyond traditional banking and build an institution capable of scaling inclusive finance.
Through targeted technical assistance, the bank undertook critical upgrades:
• Deepened the implementation of its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework—going beyond policy to practice by appointing a dedicated ESG focal person at head office and transitioning nearly 90% of head office operations to solar power, demonstrating a tangible commitment to sustainability and accountability
• Strengthened credit appraisal systems to improve risk management and decision-making
• Refined agricultural lending frameworks, unlocking opportunities in this high-potential sector
• Initiated gender finance diagnostics, laying the groundwork to tailor products to meet women’s needs and constraints
• Rolled out sales and institutional capacity training, improving service delivery across branches
These were not isolated interventions. They were deliberate steps toward long-term transformation. The results of this institutional strengthening are visible not just internally, but in the bank’s growth trajectory. Within a seven-month period (September 2025 to April 2026):
• Total assets grew from GHS 430 million to GHS 750 million
• Deposits increased by nearly GHS 280 million
• Loan portfolios expanded by over GHS 164 million
This is more than financial growth: it signals increased trust, stronger systems, and a greater ability to serve.
The clearest evidence of transformation lies in the bank’s unsecured MSME lending pilot. Traditionally, access to finance has been constrained by collateral requirements, high interest rates, and lengthy processing times. Through this pilot, Ahantaman began to overcome these barriers by:
• Reducing collateral and guarantor requirements
• Shortening turnaround times for loan approvals
• Designing products specifically tailored for women-led and youth-led businesses
In just seven months:
• Over GHC 4 million was disbursed to 192 MSME clients
• 185 (96%) were first-time borrowers, many previously excluded from formal finance
• 70 (36%) were youth-led businesses, with 49 being young women
Institutional strengthening only matters if it translates into real-world impact, and Ahantaman’s results are compelling. Businesses supported under the program:
• Impacted 283 youth jobs, the majority being young women.
• 61% are female youth, and 39% are male youth employed
• Expanded operations due to improved and timely access to finance
In total, this pilot directly and indirectly sustained and provided jobs to a total of 547 individuals within just seven months of the pilot, a powerful reminder that when institutions work better, more lives improve.
More importantly, this story goes beyond the growth of a single bank to reflect a deeper truth about financial inclusion itself. It underscores that meaningful inclusion is not only about providing capital, but about building the institutional capability required to deliver it effectively and sustainably. It highlights that lasting impact cannot be driven by good intentions alone, but by strong, well-equipped institutions that can respond to the needs of underserved markets. And it demonstrates that, with the right support, community financial institutions can evolve into powerful engines of inclusive growth, reaching scale while ensuring that opportunity extends to those who have long been excluded.
Through the FIRST+II partnership between Ahantaman Community Bank, CapPlus, CDC Group, and the Mastercard Foundation, a clear model is emerging – one where strengthening financial institutions leads directly to expanding opportunity for women, youth, smallholder farmers, and other micro and small businesses.
Ultimately, that is the goal: to build enduring systems that ensure every sound business has access to finance, regardless of its size or the entrepreneur’s gender or age.
