Absa Bank Ghana has launched its Agency Banking proposition, aimed at expanding access to financial services, particularly in peri-urban and rural communities where traditional banking infrastructure is limited.

The initiative allows accredited businesses and individuals to serve as authorised agents of the bank, providing services such as deposits, withdrawals, domestic transfers and bill payments, for both Absa customers and non-customers.

According to the World Bank’s Global Findex Database, nearly 35% of Ghanaian adults were unbanked as of 2021, with many citing the distance to bank branches as a major barrier.

Absa’s model seeks to bridge this gap by partnering with trusted local enterprises.

Kobla Nyaletey, Executive Director for Retail and Business Banking, framed the move as a strategic one.

“For Absa Bank, Agency Banking is a strategic extension of our retail presence and a key enabler of inclusive banking. We are embedding financial services within communities to remove barriers and bring more Ghanaians into the formal financial system.

"This model allows us to meet customers where they are, while empowering local businesses to thrive as banking agents.”

“We have designed the Agency Banking model with reliability, security, and community trust at its core,” added Samuel Offei, Head of Agency Banking at Absa Bank Ghana.

“Each agent goes through a rigorous accreditation and training process to ensure they can deliver the same high quality of service customers expect at any Absa bank branch.” He also mentioned that agent locations will operate beyond traditional banking hours, offering greater flexibility.

Samuel went on to say that all transactions will be processed through Absa’s secure digital platform and will comply with applicable regulatory standards to ensure customer protection.