The International Finance Corporation (SFI) announced on Friday, June 20, 2025, the granting of a loan in local currency equivalent to $40 million to Société Générale (SG) Ghana. This credit facility will allow the bank to provide up to $80 million in financing to licensed cocoa purchasing companies

As part of this partnership, IFC will grant Société Générale (SG) Ghana a loan in local currency equivalent to $40 million, through an unfunded risk-sharing mechanism. This mechanism is expected to fund up to $80 million to allow licensed purchasing companies (SAAs) to buy cocoa beans directly from smallholder farmers

“This partnership highlights IFC's recognition of SG Ghana's commitment to financing Ghana's real economy, and more specifically cocoa. It also testifies to the long-standing relationship between Ghana Cocobod and Société Générale as a group,” said Hakim Ouzzani, CEO of Société Générale Ghana. “As the financing of the cocoa sector evolves in Ghana, SG and IFC are confident that this commitment will contribute to strengthening the capacity of LBCs to continue to source cocoa locally in a sustainable and efficient manner.

“This partnership with Société Générale Ghana is an important step in overcoming one of the main obstacles in the cocoa sector: access to finance. It reflects IFC's commitment to building resilient value chains that benefit farmers, strengthen local markets, and support sustainable growth,” said Kyle Kelhofer, IFC's Senior Director for Ghana. “Investments in sectors like agriculture are essential to boost jobs, exports, and long-term economic stability.

Over four years, this mechanism is expected to generate up to $320 million in cocoa transactions and benefit around 75,000 smallholder farmers by improving their access to markets, inputs, and technical expertise. This investment supports the purchase of Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa, contributes to environmental sustainability, and helps reduce the risks of deforestation