Advans Ghana Savings and Loans Limited emerged as Savings and Loans Company of the Year at the Ghana Business Awards held on November 11, 2023 in Accra.
This is the second consecutive year Advans has won this award, demonstrating its relentless pursuit of excellence within the financial sector and reinforcing its commitment to providing top-tier financial solutions to MSMEs, smallholder farmers and underserved populations.
At the heart of Advans Ghana’s success lies a robust corporate governance structure characterised by transparency, accountability and ethical practices. The award highlights integrity and openness as the company’s standards. In an industry where trust is paramount, Advans Ghana has emerged as a beacon of reliability for its 125,000 clients and partners.
Commenting on the award, Mr. Ben Berko, Board Chair, commended management and staff of Advans Ghana for their commitment to the business’s mission and vision, and adherence to the institution’s corporate governance practices.
He said: “This award reaffirms the trust our staff and clients place in our operational policies and standards. Our commitment persists in delivering assurance of absolute safety and good returns to depositors, responsible lending practices towards borrowers, and the best of experience for all other stakeholders. We take this opportunity to reach out to prospective clients/partners, and commit to continuously support and address our clients’ needs by providing financial and non-financial services”.
Advans Ghana’s success story does not end there. In a resounding testament of its commitment to social impact and financial inclusion, Advans clinched two awards at the 2023 Social Sustainability Investment Awards held on November 17, 2023 in Accra.
The company won ‘Best Company in Promoting and Supporting Agriculture and Agribusiness 2023’ and “Best Company in Financial Literacy and Inclusion Project 2023’.
These awards recognise Advans Ghana’s role in supporting farmers in many agri value chains (cocoa, maize, rice, shea, palm oil, etc.) by providing them with input and mechanisation financing, which has contributed to an increase in the yields of its farmer clients and highlights the company’s efforts at enhancing financial literacy and ensuring inclusivity in their projects.
Receiving the awards on behalf of the company, CEO, Mr. Olivier Bailly-Bechét said: “Our agric-financing product is undertaken through the Value Chain input and mechanisation financing for smallholder farmers, which ensures they have access to quality inputs such as seeds, fertiliser etc., and utilisation of tractors for land preparation and harvesters. The farmers are therefore able to supply enough food to the market, thereby contributing to food security”.
He added that over 4,800 women from 10 cooperatives in the Northern Region and 190 smallholder farmers were trained under the financial literacy programme, using models that are client-focused and aligned with needs of the participants – who gain practical knowledge in financial management, savings, loans and digital banking.
On his part, Mr. Olivier Bailly-Béchet received the SSI Financial Inclusion Leadership Award during the ceremony. The individual honour underlines Mr. Bailly-Béchet’s outstanding contribution to advancing financial inclusion, solidifying his role as a key influencer and leader in the industry.
In essence, Advans Ghana’s dual achievements showcase a harmonious blend of corporate responsibility, financial prowess and visionary leadership. The awards not only acknowledge past achievements but also sets the stage for continued innovation and positive impact in the realms of inclusive finance, agriculture, MSME financing and financial literacy. As Advans Ghana continues to steer the course toward a sustainable and inclusive future, these awards serve as a beacon of inspiration for proffering financial solutions aimed at meeting the needs of its clients.
About Advans Ghana
Advans Ghana Savings and Loans is a subsidiary of the Advans Group headquartered in Paris- France, with a presence in 9 countries of Africa and Asia serving more than 1.3 million clients. In Ghana, Advans serves over 125,000 clients.
Advans Ghana’s mission is to provide client-centric financial services to small businesses and underserved populations in a sustainable and responsible manner. It targets micro-, small- and medium-scale enterprises, smallholder farmers and individuals. Its product offerings range from loans, deposits, bill payment and mobile banking platforms, cash collection services, payroll services and remittances.
It currently operates with 20 branches in 8 regions of Ghana – which are Greater Accra, Ashanti, Brong, Ahafo, Volta, Northern, Central and Eastern – and has a mobile banking platform allowing customers to transact anytime and anywhere.
