Ask any African founder about their biggest challenges, and access to finance will inevitably make the top five. For entrepreneurs operating outside major tech hubs, the struggle is even more acute. In Ghana’s Bono-East region, Techiman-based AgriCoHub is tackling this problem head-on with an innovative solution: the Startups Cooperative Credit Union (STARTCCU).
Founded by George Antwi-Boasiako, the Founder of AgriCoHub, an entrepreneurship support organization, the Startups Cooperative Credit Union is a member-driven financial institution designed to address the unique financial requirements of startups. Since its inception, STARTCCU has disbursed over GHS 950,000 in debt financing to more than 300 enterprises, many of which are led by youth, women, and graduates who graduated from AgriCo’s accelerator programs. STARTCCU currently serve a vibrant network of 1,000+ active members, many of whom once saw access to finance as impossible.
Unlike conventional banks, STARTCCU eliminates collateral requirements and offers below-market interest rates by leveraging a community-funded pool of capital. Borrowers are also shareholders, creating a unique incentive structure that promotes accountability and keeps default rates low. This collective ownership model not only makes capital more accessible but also fosters a culture of responsible borrowing—a stark contrast to the rigid, exclusionary practices of mainstream financial institutions.
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But AgriCoHub’s approach goes beyond just providing loans. Each financing package includes tailored support, such as financial literacy training, business growth advisory, and investment readiness coaching. The results? Since 2020, STARTCCU-backed startups have gone on to raise over $300,000 in follow-on funding, proving that combining capital with capacity-building is a game-changer for early-stage ventures.
AgriCoHub sees STARTCCU as more than just a financing tool—it’s a blueprint for ecosystem-led finance that can be replicated across the continent. With digital penetration rising and youth-led ventures multiplying across Africa, this model could help fill a persistent funding gap, particularly for startups operating on the margins of formal financial systems.
