Ghana’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Paul Evans Aidoo, visited Oya Microcredit Company Limited in Kenya, Nairobi, on Friday for a media engagement and strategic meeting aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between Kenya and Ghana, with a focus on empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The visit highlighted opportunities for African businesses under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a continental trade framework designed to expand intra-African trade and improve market access for businesses across the continent.
Speaking during the engagement, Aidoo praised the role of microfinance institutions in expanding access to credit for entrepreneurs and underserved communities. He noted that financial institutions such as Oya Microcredit play a vital role in supporting innovation, job creation and sustainable economic development.
“Access to affordable credit remains a major challenge for many entrepreneurs across Africa. Institutions that provide financial solutions to small businesses are therefore essential in strengthening economic participation and enabling SMEs to grow,” he said.
The meeting comes as Kenya and Ghana continue to strengthen bilateral economic ties aimed at supporting entrepreneurship, improving financial inclusion and expanding opportunities for cross-border trade. Both countries have increasingly focused on empowering SMEs, which form the backbone of their economies.
Discussions during the visit explored opportunities for collaboration between Kenyan and Ghanaian microfinance institutions. Key areas included knowledge exchange, development of regional SME support programs and the use of digital financial services to expand access to credit in rural and underserved communities.
According to participants, such partnerships could help strengthen SME ecosystems across Africa and enable small businesses to take advantage of the expanded market opportunities created under AfCFTA.
Oya Microcredit Chief Executive Officer Wycklife Ochola said the institution remains committed to promoting inclusive financial services and supporting entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.
“Oya Microcredit is committed to supporting entrepreneurs and businesses by providing financial solutions that drive economic growth and opportunity,” Ochola said.
“This engagement reflects our dedication to building partnerships that strengthen African trade and contribute to sustainable development.”
Microfinance institutions are increasingly recognized as critical players in Africa’s economic transformation. By offering working capital, affordable loans and tailored financial solutions, they enable small businesses to expand operations, invest in innovation and create employment opportunities.
The High Commissioner’s visit also underscored the growing importance of deeper economic cooperation between African countries as they seek to unlock the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries.
Oya Microcredit Company Limited Kenya is a financial services provider focused on delivering alternative and affordable lending solutions. Through innovative financial products and partnerships, the organization works to promote entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth.
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