Kobby Bentsi-Enchill, Head of Investment Banking at Stanbic Bank Ghana, has urged real estate developers across Africa to match innovative ideas with thorough project preparation, stressing that well-structured proposals stand a better chance of securing financing from banks.
Speaking at the Africa Real Estate Festival, Mr Bentsi-Enchill joined industry leaders, investors and developers to discuss the financing challenges slowing property development across the continent.
According to him, while strong ideas are important, preparation often determines whether a project receives financial backing.
“When a developer walks through our doors with a project, the quality of the idea matters, but it is rarely the deciding factor,” he said.
“What separates a fundable project from one that stalls at the assessment stage is preparation. Complete documentation, credible financial projections, clear land title, and a well-articulated exit strategy tell us that the developer has done the hard thinking. That is what builds a bank’s confidence.”
He noted that many developers struggle to secure financing not because their projects lack market potential, but because of avoidable weaknesses in how proposals are structured and presented to lenders.
“The real estate sector across Africa holds enormous potential, and we genuinely want to support its growth. But a bank’s obligation is to its depositors and shareholders as much as it is to its borrowers,” he explained.
“Due diligence is not a hurdle we place in front of developers to frustrate them; it is the mechanism by which we ensure that the projects we back are viable, sustainable, and structured to succeed.”
Mr Bentsi-Enchill also encouraged developers to engage experienced technical and financial consultants early in the planning process, describing professional advisory support as a key investment rather than an unnecessary expense.
“The developers who consistently secure financing are the ones who surround themselves with the right expertise,” he stated.
“A seasoned quantity surveyor, a competent legal team, a financial adviser who understands bankability; these are not luxuries. They are the people who ensure your proposal speaks the language that lenders understand and respond to.”
He reaffirmed Stanbic Bank Ghana’s commitment to supporting the real estate and construction sector, describing the industry as both a commercial priority and a vital contributor to Ghana’s economic development.
According to him, bank financing continues to play a crucial role in bringing quality real estate projects to life through direct lending and strategic partnerships with developers and investors.
“Real estate development, done well, creates jobs, generates tax revenue, and addresses some of the most pressing infrastructure needs our country faces,” he said.
“Stanbic Bank is committed to being a dependable partner in that process for developers who are serious about building sustainably and building right.”