IFC, Accra Office

The International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, promotes sustainable private sector investment in developing countries, helping to reduce poverty and improve people's lives. IFC finances investments with its own resources and mobilizes capital. IFC provides advisory solutions to governments and businesses.

Ghana is home to IFC's sub-regional hub in West Africa, which serves nine countries in the region-Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte D'Ivoire, Ghana, Republic of Guinea, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone and Togo.

IFC is the largest multilateral source of financing for private enterprises in emerging markets. Financing is long-term and market-priced.

IFC's share capital is provided by its 176 member countries, which determine policies and approve investments.

IFC committed $6.7 billion from its own account to projects in FY06 and
 mobilized $1.6 billion through syndications and $1.3 billion through structured finance. IFC supported 284 projects in 66 countries and approved over 400 new advisory programs.

IFC shares project risk with sponsors and financial partners but does not participate in project management.

For every $1 dollar of IFC financing, other investors and lenders provide $5.

IFC's charter requires commercial terms, targeting profitability.

IFC does not accept government guarantees.

IFC's participation in projects helps reassure and balance the needs of each party in a transaction-whether foreign investors, local partners, other creditors, or government authorities.

A Diverse and Growing Portfolio

IFC has greatly expanded its investment services and advisory solutions portfolio in Ghana over the past two years. IFC investment commitments in Ghana currently stand at $162 million invested in 13 projects, with a strong pipeline of new investments under development. In FY06, IFC's Private Enterprise Partnership for Africa launched four new advisory solutions programs in Ghana, supporting education, the financial sector, leasing, and housing finance.

Since Ghana became a member in 1958, IFC has invested over $636 million in 43 projects in Ghana, with $364 million for its own account and an additional $272 million in syndicated loans.

IFC's strategy in Ghana includes supporting private provision of infrastructure, deepening the domestic financial sector, expanding opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises borrowing through local financial institutions, promoting the development of non-traditional exports, and enhancing the business environment.

Private Enterprise Partnership

The IFC Private Enterprise Partnership for Africa is IFC's main advisory solutions program in Sub-Saharan Africa. PEP Africa establishes partnerships with donors, governments, and the private sector to design and deliver advisory solutions that improve the investment climate, mobilize private sector investment and enhance the competitiveness of private enterprises.

In Ghana, PEP Africa is supporting a number of sector and company-level technical assistance projects in sectors such as mining, financial services, and education.

African Management Service Company

AMSCO strengthens African enterprises by providing experienced managers and technical personnel to small and medium private companies in Africa.  Customized training services to local managers and staff are offered to upgrade their skills and improve performance and productivity of their company.

Training and consulting services are provided to the general public with a view to widening the scope of the company's reach beyond the current projects.