Financial institutions in Ghana have recorded a net tightening in lending conditions for corporate clients during the February 2026 round of the Credit Conditions Survey when compared with the December 2025 assessment.
Findings contained in the March 2026 Monetary Policy Report issued by the Bank of Ghana indicate that the overall restrictive stance on credit extended to businesses was driven by firmer conditions across nearly all lending segments, with the exception of financing directed at small and medium sized enterprises, which did not experience the same degree of constraint.
Despite the current posture, the report reveals that banks anticipate a shift in direction over the near term, projecting that lending conditions for corporates will become more accommodative within the next two months of 2026. This expected adjustment is linked to a broad based easing across all categories of corporate credit.
In contrast, lending conditions for households became more favourable during the opening months of the year. The improved stance in credit extended to individuals was attributed to more relaxed terms for mortgage financing, consumer borrowing, and other forms of personal lending.
Banks expect this trend to persist, with projections pointing to an additional easing in household credit conditions in the coming months, largely supported by further relaxation in consumer related loans and other personal credit facilities.
The February 2026 survey also signalled a moderation in overall corporate appetite for credit, even though demand rose across the various borrowing segments. This suggests that while businesses continued to seek financing, the pace of demand showed signs of softening within the period under review.
Looking ahead, however, financial institutions foresee a rebound in corporate credit demand, with expectations of stronger borrowing activity in March and April 2026 as economic conditions evolve.
