Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank breakfast meeting to tackle cross-border payment challenges

Businesses, regulators and financial sector players are set to converge in Accra as the Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meeting turns the spotlight on one of the biggest challenges facing companies engaged in international trade — moving money across borders efficiently.

The upcoming breakfast meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, will bring together regulators, financial institutions, traders and business leaders to explore practical solutions to the challenges surrounding cross-border payments.

The meeting is being held under the theme: “Moving Money. Moving Trade. Moving Ghana. – Making It Easier to Buy, Sell and Pay Across Borders.”

High payment costs, delays put businesses under pressure

Head of Brand and Marketing at Stanbic Bank Ghana, Chidinma Braye-Yankee, said efficient cross-border payment systems have become increasingly important as Ghanaian businesses expand their trading relationships across Africa, China and other international markets.

She identified delays, high transaction costs, multiple intermediaries, foreign exchange challenges and limited payment transparency as some of the difficulties confronting businesses involved in international trade.

According to her, businesses need payment systems that can move funds faster, more cheaply and more reliably.

She stressed that efficient cross-border payments should no longer be viewed merely as a banking concern, but as an important part of supporting trade and economic growth.

China-Ghana trade takes centre stage

A major focus of the discussions will be how Ghanaian businesses can make payments to Chinese suppliers more efficiently.

Stanbic Bank Ghana recently introduced direct access to China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), allowing eligible customers to settle transactions denominated in Chinese Yuan directly through the bank.

The service is expected to reduce reliance on intermediary banks and help address some of the delays associated with traditional international payment channels.

The development is particularly relevant to Ghanaian importers, given China’s importance as a trading partner.

PAPSS, SWIFT and CIPS in the spotlight

The breakfast meeting will also examine payment infrastructure supporting international and regional transactions.

Among the systems expected to feature in the conversation are the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), SWIFT, and Stanbic Bank’s capabilities under CIPS.

PAPSS was developed to facilitate faster and more efficient cross-border payments for intra-African trade, while CIPS provides infrastructure for cross-border transactions denominated in Renminbi.

For businesses, the broader objective is to make international transactions less complicated while improving transparency, security and reliability.

Top business voices to join the discussion

The meeting will feature a panel involving key players from the banking and business sectors.

The panellists include Mush Abdallah, Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Stanbic Bank Ghana; Dr Paa Kwesi Eduaful Abaidoo, Sustainability Manager at Miniplast Ltd; and Dr Nana Kwesi Amoako, Sales Director, Business to Business West Africa at Kasapreko PLC.

Their discussions are expected to provide practical perspectives on the challenges businesses face when buying, selling and making payments across international borders.

Security cannot be ignored

While faster payment systems can make international trade easier, Stanbic Bank has stressed that efficiency must go hand in hand with security.

According to Braye-Yankee, the growing reliance on digital payment channels makes it increasingly important for businesses to have systems that are not only fast but also secure and trusted.

The issue of digital fraud has featured prominently in previous Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meetings, with stakeholders highlighting the need for stronger public awareness and vigilance alongside investments in technology and security systems.

Making cross-border trade easier

The September 22 meeting comes at a time when Ghanaian businesses are increasingly looking beyond the domestic market for suppliers, customers and investment opportunities.

For importers and exporters, the ability to move money quickly and securely can directly affect transaction costs, delivery timelines and overall competitiveness.

Stanbic Bank’s Africa-China trade solutions also include trade financing and payment and collection services aimed at helping businesses manage the risks associated with cross-border transactions.

The upcoming Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meeting is therefore expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine how Ghana can strengthen its payment infrastructure and make cross-border commerce more efficient.

At the heart of the discussion will be a simple but increasingly important question: how can Ghana make it easier for businesses to buy, sell and pay across borders while keeping transactions affordable, secure and reliable?