Fidelity Bank Calls for Stronger Systems to Unlock Ghana’s Trade
Fidelity Bank Ghana has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, harmonised trade systems and targeted institutional support to address structural barriers limiting the growth of Ghanaian traders and entrepreneurs, particularly women-led businesses.
The call was made at the Breaking Barriers to Trade Conference, where senior executives of the bank participated in discussions on trade modernisation and the development of women-led enterprises.
Director of Banking Operations at Fidelity Bank Ghana, Aaron Ameyaw, said weaknesses in data quality and fragmented customs systems remained significant obstacles to efficient trade in Ghana and across the region.
Speaking on the topic “Reimagining Trade, Influence and Institutional Legacy,” Mr Ameyaw said the growing use of artificial intelligence in trade and commerce would only deliver meaningful results if the data supporting such technologies was accurate and reliable.
He noted that poor-quality data could undermine the effectiveness of artificial intelligence and machine-learning systems, making it necessary for institutions to improve data collection, management and sharing.
Mr Ameyaw also called for greater harmonisation of customs regimes among neighbouring countries to facilitate cross-border trade.
He said traders, particularly women importing goods from countries such as Togo and Nigeria, continued to face bureaucratic processes that increased the cost and time involved in moving goods across borders.
He welcomed the introduction of the Publican AI System earlier in 2026 to complement Ghana’s Integrated Customs Management System at the ports, describing it as an example of how technology and institutional collaboration could improve trade and revenue mobilisation.
According to him, the system had contributed to revenue growth of more than US$300 million, demonstrating the potential of technology when supported by effective systems and partnerships.
Mr Ameyaw also highlighted Fidelity Bank’s own digital transformation efforts, noting that the bank had introduced robotic process automation into its reconciliation processes.
He said the technology had improved operational efficiency while freeing employees to focus on more value-adding activities.
Mr Ameyaw stressed that Ghana must first establish the right fundamentals if it is to fully benefit from emerging technologies.
Director of SME Banking at Fidelity Bank Ghana, Alex Agyei-Amponsah, meanwhile, focused on the challenges confronting women-led businesses and the need for institutions to provide support that reflects the realities of entrepreneurs.
He said women account for between 38 and 46 per cent of businesses in the region, but many face difficulties expanding their enterprises while balancing business responsibilities with family and other obligations.
According to Mr Agyei-Amponsah, the challenge is therefore not necessarily a lack of ambition among women entrepreneurs but the structural constraints that make business growth difficult.
He outlined Fidelity Bank’s response through the Fidelity Young Entrepreneurs Fund, which targets young people aged 18 to 40 and women up to age 45.
The programme is designed to support entrepreneurs from the idea stage through incubation and ultimately to become funded and market-ready businesses.
