Advans Ghana has introduced a new overdraft facility designed to give micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) faster access to working capital, strengthening its position as one of the country’s most reliable microfinance institutions. The launch brought together senior executives from Advans and partners from GIZ, who all underscored the urgent need for flexible financing tools that meet the realities of Ghana’s business landscape.
Introducing the institution, Mrs. Babara Odei, Chief Sales and Distribution Officer, highlighted that Advans was created in August 2005 in Luxembourg with a mandate to provide specialised microfinance solutions across developing markets. She noted that Advans Ghana’s consistent excellence has earned it a place in the Ghana Club 100 rankings for three consecutive years, 2022, 2023, and 2024. She emphasised that Advans offers more than just loans, positioning itself as a comprehensive financial partner providing investments, savings, loans, and financial advisory services. She also reaffirmed that customer deposits are highly secure and that the institution has some of the best rates on the market.
Mrs. Odei added that Advans runs a loyalty advantage system that reduces interest rates over time for consistent customers. The institution also provides auto loans and tailored financing for both individuals and businesses. Advans currently operates 21 branches across 9 regions, serving over 146,000 clients, 65% of whom are active female customers with a workforce of more than 650 staff. The company recorded a 65% year-on-year growth, reflecting strong operational performance and customer trust.
Speaking at the event, Guillaume Valence, Managing Director of Advans Ghana, stressed that SMEs remain the backbone of Ghana’s economy, creating most of the country’s jobs and driving local development. He added that across Africa, the Advans Group employs more than 3,600 staff, reinforcing its continental footprint. He noted that the institution recently rolled out the Spot Loan, a quick-access loan solution, but the newly launched Overdraft Facility represents an even more flexible product crafted to meet the real-time liquidity needs of small businesses.
Representing GIZ, Cynthia Odonkor, Component Manager of the PFS Programme, explained that the development of the overdraft product followed extensive consultations with MSMEs and trade associations. According to her, one of the biggest challenges facing local businesses is the lack of timely working capital, which often slows operations, reduces productivity, and limits their ability to expand. She praised Advans for designing an overdraft solution that directly addresses this gap, describing the partnership between GIZ and Advans as a strong example of how private-sector institutions can collaborate with development agencies to drive job creation and enterprise growth.
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