The Venture Capital Trust Fund (VCTF) has taken a significant step toward addressing Ghana’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) funding challenges through a strategic partnership with Stanbic Investment Management Services Ltd. (SIMS), Triple Jump and the Dutch Good Growth Fund (DGGF) Academy.
The collaboration culminated in a specialised three-day venture capital and private equity training held at the Peduase Valley Resort from March 10th to 12th, 2024. It was designed specifically to tackle the growing financing gap faced by Ghana’s expanding SME sector.
Addressing critical funding needs
As SMEs continue to grow in number and economic significance, traditional banking loans have proven insufficient to meet their long-term capital requirements.
The training initiative directly responds to this challenge by equipping investment professionals with advanced skills in alternative financing methods.
“SMEs are the backbone of Ghana’s economy, but they consistently face funding obstacles that limit their growth potential,” explained Percival Ofori Ampomah, General Manager at VCTF. “By strengthening our venture capital and private equity ecosystem, we’re creating sustainable financing pathways for businesses that traditional lenders often overlook.”
Building investment capacity
The intensive programme brought together professionals from across Ghana’s financial landscape, including pension fund managers, asset management executives, regulatory officials and corporate investment teams.
Participants engaged in hands-on training focused on investment strategy development, risk assessment methodologies and portfolio growth techniques specifically tailored to Ghana’s SME environment.
Expert facilitators, including Spain-based private equity specialist Sven Soderblom and Kwabena Boamah, Managing Director of SIMS, guided attendees through critical topics such as due diligence processes, co-investment strategies, and portfolio monitoring approaches designed to unlock capital for underserved SMEs.
Creating sustainable financing solutions
Julia Kho of Triple Jump provided specialised insights on responsible investing practices that balance financial returns with positive social impact—a critical consideration for Ghana’s development-focused investment landscape.
The training emphasised practical applications through real-world case studies and one-on-one mentoring sessions, allowing participants to develop tailored approaches to SME financing challenges in their respective organizations.
A long-term vision for SME growth
This initiative represents a cornerstone of VCTF’s broader strategy to transform Ghana’s investment ecosystem into one that better serves the needs of growing businesses.
By building a network of skilled investment professionals equipped with specialised knowledge in venture capital and private equity, the partnership aims to significantly expand the pool of available funding for SMEs across various sectors.
“This training is just the beginning,” noted Mr. Ampomah. “As we continue to strengthen expertise in alternative financing, we’re creating a more resilient and accessible funding environment that will support Ghana’s entrepreneurs for years to come.”
The success of this initiative signals a promising shift in Ghana’s approach to SME financing, with venture capital and private equity increasingly positioned as vital tools for bridging the funding gap and driving sustainable economic growth.
