BII Reaffirms Long-Term Commitment to the Country’s Private Sector
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
British International Investment (BII), the United Kingdom’s development finance institution and impact investor, has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Ghana’s private sector following a high-level leadership visit to the country from 29 to 30 January 2026.
The visit, led by BII Chief Executive Officer Leslie Maasdorp, underscored the institution’s strategic focus on deepening private-sector development, mobilising local capital, and supporting inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Ghana.
During the visit, the BII Board delegation engaged extensively with government officials, private investors, pension fund managers, and development finance institutions, reviewing the performance of BII- and Growth Investment Partners (GIP)-backed businesses and exploring opportunities to scale impact across priority sectors.
A key highlight of the visit was engagements with five BII investee companies, offering the delegation first-hand insight into how long-term patient capital is translating into tangible economic outcomes. At Maa Grace Garments International, the Board was briefed on how GIP’s investment has enabled the company to become one of Ghana’s largest garment manufacturers. The firm is now expanding operations to employ an additional 400 workers, predominantly women, to support the production of 100 per cent export-oriented garments, strengthening Ghana’s position in global apparel value chains.
The delegation also held discussions with local pension funds and private equity firms on strategies to unlock domestic capital mobilisation, a critical element in closing Ghana’s SME financing gap and reducing reliance on external funding sources.
The visit culminated in a high-level networking reception at the British High Commissioner’s Residence, bringing together senior policymakers, investors, and development partners. Attendees included the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama, highlighting strong institutional alignment around private-sector-led growth.
British High Commissioner to Ghana, Dr Christian Rogg, described the visit as a reinforcement of the UK–Ghana economic partnership.
“Inclusive and sustainable growth is at the heart of the UK’s partnership with Ghana. This visit strengthens our shared commitment to boosting investment, improving the business environment, and supporting Ghana’s economic transformation,” he said.
BII CEO Leslie Maasdorp reiterated Ghana’s strategic importance to the institution’s Africa portfolio.
“Ghana is a vital partner for British International Investment. We remain committed to supporting long-term economic resilience and helping Ghanaian businesses grow and compete globally,” he stated.
BII’s portfolio in Ghana currently supports over 15,000 jobs across sectors including manufacturing, food security, renewable energy, digital connectivity, and SME finance. In 2024 alone, BII-backed businesses contributed more than US$3 million in taxes to the Ghanaian economy.
A cornerstone of BII’s engagement is Growth Investment Partners (GIP) Ghana, its flagship SME financing platform. By the end of 2025, GIP had invested in 15 SMEs, supporting over 3,400 jobs, reinforcing BII’s role in strengthening Ghana’s private-sector backbone.
