The Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana and Chairperson of the Ghana Stock Exchange, Pearl Nkrumah, has called for stronger platforms and strategic partnerships to enable African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to access financing and trade across borders.

Speaking at the 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogue at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Wednesday, January 4, Mrs Nkrumah said trade agreements alone are insufficient to grow African businesses; payment systems, marketplaces, and governance structures are critical enablers.

“Before financing comes in, it’s what the financing is being used for. Collaboration and enabling platforms are key,” she said, adding that women traders, in particular, need systems that allow them to sell products abroad and receive payments seamlessly.

Highlighting Access Bank’s role, Mrs Nkrumah explained that the bank works with central banks and partners across the continent to provide payment platforms, digital infrastructure, and marketplaces that facilitate trade.

She noted that the Payment Architecture under AfCFTA (PAPs) is a step forward, but challenges remain due to reliance on the US dollar for settlements.

She urged policymakers and financial institutions to move from discussion to execution, including the eventual adoption of a single African currency, which she believes would simplify payments, reduce costs, and unlock the continent’s trade potential.

“Policy, dialogue, and technology must come together to turn talk into execution. We all have a role to play,” she said.