Advans Ghana Savings and Loans Limited (Advans Ghana) has officially inaugurated its new head office, ‘The Hive’, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey and setting the stage for an ambitious new phase of growth focused on reaching more entrepreneurs, deepening financial inclusion and creating greater impact and opportunities for MSME businesses across Ghana.
The new Head office, located in Dzorwulu, Accra, was inaugurated at an auspicious event under the chairmanship of the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiku Tsuru II, represented by the Sempe Mantse, Nii Adote Odaawulu 1, alongside other traditional leaders of the Ga State.
Also present were representation from the Bank of Ghana led by Mrs. Matilda Asante-Asiedu, Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, who represented the Governor, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiamah who was the keynote speaker other dignitaries included HE. Diarra Dime-Labille the French Ambassador to Ghana, Chief Executive officers from Banks and Financial and other Institutions across various sectors in Ghana. There were also members of the diplomatic community, clients, partners, and other distinguished guests.
Since opening its first branch in Accra New Town, Advans Ghana has worked consistently to provide quality financial and non-financial services to the client segments and businesses it serves, earning the trust that has underpinned its growth over the years. The inauguration of The Hive therefore marks not only an important milestone for the institution but also a testament to its longstanding connection with the Ga State and the wider Ghanaian community with 21 Branches across nine regions of Ghana.
Speaking on behalf of the Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty Nii Teiku Tsuru II, the Sempe Mantse, Nii Adote Odaawulu 1, said the institution’s growth and acceleration comes with a corresponding responsibility to the communities in which it operates. “As a father to this family, I would say that to whom much is given, much is expected”. The Ga State therefore looks to its partners to ensure that their success goes beyond the institution itself and leaves a lasting and positive impact on the communities and people they serve, and Advans has shown this to be true,” he said.
A bold 2030 ambition
At the heart of Advans Ghana’s next chapter is a clear ambition; to serve 300,000 entrepreneurs by 2030, while growing its gross loan portfolio to GH¢1.5 billion and its deposit portfolio to GH¢1.2 billion. The institution intends to achieve this by expanding access to financial solutions across loans, deposits, insurance and payments, with particular attention to women, young people and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Advans Ghana currently serves more than 160,000 clients, with women accounting for 61 percent of its customer base. Over the past 12 months, the institution has disbursed more than GH¢1billion in loans to over 14,000 businesses, reinforcing its role as a financial partner to entrepreneurs and businesses across the country.
Commenting on the next phase of the institution’s journey, Mr. Guillaume Valence, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Advans Ghana, said the organisation’s ambition was firmly rooted in its original purpose. “Our purpose remains the same — to give entrepreneurs the tools they need to grow their businesses, create jobs and build resilience,” he said adding that the institution would continue to combine strong human relationships with technology to make financial services simpler, faster and more responsive to the needs of its clients. The approach reflects Advans Ghana’s “High Tech, High Touch” model, which seeks to harness digital tools without losing the human connection at the heart of responsible financial inclusion.
Building for sustainable growth
The ambition to scale will be matched by an equally strong commitment to responsible growth, governance, compliance, and client protection principles and standards.
Mr. Eli Hini, Chairman of the Board of Advans Ghana, said the institution’s growth must be underpinned by the trust of its clients, depositors, shareholders and regulators. “Growth on its own is not a goal. Growth without discipline is a risk, and growth without oversight does not last,” he said.
Mr. Hini reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to strong governance, independent oversight and rigorous risk and compliance standards as Advans Ghana expands its services and impact to many more MSME’s in Ghana. He said compliance was not simply a regulatory obligation but a promise to clients, encompassing customer identification, fraud prevention, anti-money laundering measures, prudential requirements, data security and fair treatment of clients. “Governance and compliance are not the opposite of growth. They are what make growth possible. Good governance and strong compliance turn growth into trust,” he added.
Advans Ghana has reinforced this commitment through internationally recognised standards, including its ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, which demonstrates the institution’s commitment to robust information-security management and the protection of client data. The institution also holds a Silver Level Client Protection Certification from Microfinance Rating (MFR), recognising its alignment with international standards for responsible financial services.
The institution is also preparing for the next stage of its development under the Bank of Ghana’s new regulatory framework for the sector, including its transition towards becoming a Microfinance Bank.
Strengthening access to finance
The Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Mrs. Matilda Asante-Asiedu, commended Advans Ghana’s contribution to financial inclusion and highlighted the importance of developing financing solutions that respond to the realities of entrepreneurs.
She encouraged greater use of cash-flow-based lending, credit-bureau data and guarantees to enable young entrepreneurs with viable businesses but limited traditional collateral to access finance, while maintaining sound underwriting and risk-management practices. “Cash-flow lending, credit-bureau data and guarantees can help mitigate the risks and enable young entrepreneurs with viable businesses but limited collateral to access finance,” she said.
Mrs. Asante-Asiedu said, “the Bank of Ghana’s ongoing reforms of the savings and loans and microfinance sectors were intended to create a stronger and more resilient industry capable of supporting financial inclusion, employment and economic growth”. Her remarks underscored the importance of balancing increased access to credit with the resilience and stability of financial institutions. For Advans Ghana, this balance remains central to its approach to responsible finance.
Unlocking the potential of women entrepreneurs
The inauguration also provided an opportunity to highlight the significant economic opportunity represented by women entrepreneurs across Ghana and Africa.
Her Excellency (H.E) Diarra Dime-Labille, Ambassador of France to Ghana, noted that women own more than 40 percent of SMEs across Africa, yet face an estimated US$42 billion financing gap. She emphasised that closing this gap extends beyond access to capital, requiring financial education, business skills, mentoring and professional networks to help women-led businesses build sustainable growth. “Closing the gap is therefore about far more than fairness or inclusion. It is about enabling viable businesses to invest, grow, and create jobs while making economies broader and more resilient,” H.E Dime-Labille said.
Her remarks resonated strongly with Advans Ghana’s experience, where women already account for 61 percent of its customer base. Advans Ghana’s approach combines financial solutions with business capacity building, financial education, mentoring and networking, recognising entrepreneurs not simply as borrowers but as business leaders with the potential to create jobs and strengthen communities.
The French Ambassador also highlighted the wider partnership between France and Ghana in supporting women entrepreneurs, including work involving the Agence Française de Développement, the Ministry of Finance, Ghana Enterprise Agency and Development Bank Ghana to address barriers to women’s entrepreneurship and improve access to finance.
Advans Group deepens its African commitment
The inauguration also reaffirmed the wider Advans Group’s long-term commitment to Ghana and Africa at large.
Mr. Steven Duchatelle, Chief Executive Officer of Advans International, said the Group’s ambitions on the continent were stronger than ever. He said, “Advans currently serves more than 800,000 clients across six African subsidiaries, with a portfolio exceeding €460million and average annual growth of 17 percent over the past six years”. The Group plans to expand into three new African countries by 2030, while deepening relationships with existing clients and connecting them to new digital and financial solutions. “Our ambitions are stronger than ever in Africa,” he said.
Mr. Duchatelle highlighted data, artificial intelligence, digital applications and ecosystem partnerships as important components of the Group’s next phase, while stressing that technology would complement rather than replace human relationships. In Advans Ghana, 94 percent of transactions are already conducted outside branches, demonstrating the extent to which clients are embracing more convenient channels while retaining access to relationship-based financial services.
The Hive — a home for the next chapter
The new head office, named The Hive, embodies Advans Ghana’s belief that sustainable growth is built through collaboration, shared purpose and strong relationships. For the lender, The Hive is more than a new office. It is a physical expression of the organisation’s evolution and its confidence in the opportunities ahead. As Advans Ghana enters this next chapter, its focus remains clear — to grow responsibly, deepen financial inclusion and equip more entrepreneurs with financial and non-financial tools they need to build stronger businesses, achieve sustainable impact, create jobs, and contribute to Ghana’s economic future.
About Advans Ghana
Advans Ghana Savings and Loans Limited is a financial institution focused on providing accessible and tailored financial solutions to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and individuals in Ghana. Incorporated in 2007 and commencing operations in 2008, the company is licensed by the Bank of Ghana and is a subsidiary of the Advans Group, headquartered in Europe.
Advans Ghana offers a range of financial services, including loans, savings and investment products, current accounts and digital banking solutions, designed to support business growth, financial inclusion and the evolving needs of its customers. The company currently operates 21 branches across nine regions of Ghana and serves more than 157,000 clients. Advans Ghana is committed to responsible and client-focused financial services, with a particular focus on supporting the sustainable growth of MSMEs and expanding access to finance for underserved segments of the Ghanaian market.
