MTN Ghana Empowers SMEs with Digital Tools, Funding Access and Training as Over 900 Benefit

Telecommunications giant MTN Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the expansion of its flagship SME Accelerate Programme to address key business challenges and drive growth across the country.

Speaking to journalists in Kumasi on Wednesday during MTN Ghana SME Business Clinic, Senior Manager for SME Sales at MTN Ghana, Abubakri Sadick Mohammed, said the initiative has evolved significantly since its introduction in 2024.

He explained that the programme, which started as a one-month SME Month campaign, has now been expanded into a year-long intervention following strong demand from businesses.

“We realised there were enormous opportunities, and customers wanted continuous engagement, so we expanded it to cover the whole year,” he said.

Mr Mohammed noted that the programme is designed to tackle major challenges facing SMEs in Ghana, including low digital adoption, limited market visibility and restricted access to funding.

He stressed that many local businesses struggle to grow due to their inability to embrace digital transformation.

“SMEs that succeed globally have adopted technology in their operations. Digitisation is no longer optional; it is critical for growth,” he said.

To address these challenges, he said MTN Ghana is providing digital tools that enable SMEs to create websites and showcase their products to a wider audience, helping them reach customers beyond their immediate locations.

He added that the programme also leverages mobile money and fintech solutions to improve access to credit, allowing SMEs to build financial credibility and increase their borrowing capacity over time.

Mr Mohammed said MTN Ghana is working in partnership with SMEGA Africa to monitor the progress of participating businesses.

He explained that the organisation provides post-training support to ensure SMEs apply the knowledge acquired and improve their operations.

“They follow up on participants to ensure the knowledge gained is applied. By the following year, we can track how businesses have improved,” he said.

He added that MTN Ghana’s key account managers across the country also provide ongoing support and mentorship to participating SMEs.

Mr Mohammed said more than 900 SMEs have already benefited from the programme’s capacity-building sessions.

He said the company plans to expand the initiative this year by increasing training opportunities and scaling up its Mini MBA programme from about 50 participants last year to 150 in 2026.

The Mini MBA, organised in collaboration with Nova School of Business, is a 13-week programme aimed at equipping selected SMEs with advanced business management skills.

He urged SMEs to take advantage of the programme by improving their record-keeping and financial management systems to enhance their chances of accessing funding.

Mr Mohammed also highlighted the potential of locally made products, noting that many remain unknown due to limited promotion.

“Ghanaian-made products are of high quality, but many are not visible on international platforms. SMEs must take advantage of digital tools to reach wider markets,” he said.

Participants who spoke to the media said the programme has already had a positive impact on their businesses.

They noted improvements in areas such as packaging and product presentation, adding that the training would help them expand and create employment.

“This programme will help our businesses grow and go far. It will also help us employ others,” one participant said.

Others commended MTN Ghana for the initiative and called for its continuation to support more small businesses across the country.