One of the leading microfinance institutions in Ghana formally recognised for meeting international standards in responsible financial services.

Advans Ghana Savings & Loans has been awarded the Client Protection Certification by MFR (Microfinance Rating), with funding support from Proparco, in formal recognition of the institution’s alignment with internationally accepted Client Protection Standards. The certification was presented at a ceremony held at Advans Ghana’s Newtown Branch, Accra, on Thursday 26th March 2026, attended by the institution’s Board, Executive Management, staff, and members of the Press.

Guillaume Valence, CEO of Advans Ghana, described the recognition as a reflection of the institution’s core values:

“This certification is a reflection of who we are and what we stand for. Our clients deserve a financial partner they can trust — one that is transparent, fair, and genuinely invested in their progress. This certification confirms that we are holding ourselves to that standard, and we are proud to have it formally recognised.”

ABOUT THE CERTIFICATION

The Client Protection Certification is awarded following a rigorous and independent assessment of a financial institution’s policies, systems, and day-to-day practices across all client-facing operations. It is granted to institutions that demonstrate genuine, consistent alignment with global client protection principles — covering fair treatment, responsible lending, transparent pricing, data privacy, and effective complaint resolution.

Advans Ghana joins a select group of microfinance institutions across Africa and beyond to have attained this level of recognition, underscoring the institution’s standing as a responsible and client-centred financial services provider.

WHAT THE CERTIFICATION MEANS FOR CLIENTS

For Advans Ghana’s clients — the micro and small entrepreneurs, market traders, and everyday Ghanaians the institution serves — this certification carries direct and meaningful implications:

• Appropriate product design and delivery — Products and services are designed with the client’s needs, circumstances, and best interests in mind, and delivered in a manner that is accessible and appropriate.
• Prevention of over-indebtedness — Advans Ghana takes active steps to ensure clients are not extended credit beyond their means, protecting them from the burden of unsustainable debt.
• Transparent pricing and no hidden charges — Loan terms, interest rates, and fees are communicated clearly and honestly before any agreement is signed.
• Responsible lending practices — Credit is extended based on a genuine assessment of each client’s repayment capacity, ensuring loans support financial growth rather than create undue burden.
• Dignified and respectful service — All clients, across every branch, are entitled to courteous, professional, and fair treatment at every interaction along their client journey.
• Clear channels for complaints and recourse — Clients who have concerns have accessible, structured pathways to raise and resolve issues without fear or difficulty.
• Protection of personal data — Client information is managed with strict confidentiality and in accordance with applicable data protection standards.
• Governance — Advans Ghana upholds strong institutional governance, ensuring that client protection is embedded at every level of the organisation, from board oversight to frontline operations.

INDUSTRY CONTEXT

Ghana’s microfinance sector plays a critical role in expanding financial access to the underserved — yet client trust remains a persistent challenge across the industry. Advans Ghana’s attainment of the Client Protection Certification signals a broader commitment to raising the bar, demonstrating that institutions operating in this space can and should be held to rigorous international standards.

Laurent Clauser, Group Head of Risk and Audit, Advans Group, spoke to the significance of this milestone from a Group perspective:“Client centricity is part of the DNA of the Advans Group. Ghana is one of three country subsidiaries that have now received the Client Protection Certification — Tunisia achieved Gold level, while Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have both been awarded Silver. This is a proud moment for the Group, and we are determined to ensure that all six of our country operations achieve certification. We will not stop until every Advans client, wherever they are, is served to the highest standard of client protection.”The certification positions Advans Ghana as a benchmark for responsible microfinance practice in Ghana, and the institution hopes its example will encourage wider adoption of client protection principles across the sector.

Board Chairperson Eli Hini spoke to the institution’s broader responsibility:“Our clients are not just customers — they are partners in Ghana’s economic development. This certification is a public declaration of the standards we hold ourselves to, and a commitment to every person who walks through our doors that they will be treated with fairness, respect, and integrity. We hope this inspires a higher standard of client care across the entire microfinance industry.”

Advans Ghana is part of the Advans Group, an international microfinance network dedicated to responsible financial inclusion. Operating in Ghana since 2008, Advans Ghana provides savings, loans, and tailored financial solutions to micro and small entrepreneurs, helping underserved Ghanaians build livelihoods and grow their businesses across the country.