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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
“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.
From L-R - Eli Hini, Board Chairman of Advans Ghana,
presenting to Guillaume Valence, CEO, Advans Ghana and Seth Micah Nunoo, Chief
Business Development Officer, Advans Ghana watching on
Barbara Odei, Chief Sales and Distribution Officer, Advans
Ghana, left, and Eli Hini, Board Chairman, Advans Ghana, right with the
certificate
The leadership of Advans Ghana and some customers displaying
the certificate
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