MTN Ghana Launches 2026 SME Accelerate Programme to Boost Small Businesses

MTN Ghana has officially launched the 2026 edition of its SME Accelerate programme, reaffirming its commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through digital solutions, training, and access to markets.

The initiative, now in its third year, forms part of MTN’s broader strategy to strengthen the SME ecosystem and accelerate economic growth in Ghana.

SMEs Key to Ghana’s Economic Transformation – MTN CEO

In a virtual address, MTN Ghana’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Blewett, highlighted the vital role that SMEs play in driving Ghana’s economic transformation and sustainable development.

According to him, SMEs account for the majority of business activities and employment in Ghana, yet many still face structural challenges that limit their productivity and growth.

“Across Ghana and other emerging markets, sustainable growth is built on productive small and medium enterprises, not large corporations alone,” he said.

Blewett explained that although SMEs dominate the business landscape, productivity per enterprise remains below its full potential due to barriers such as limited scale, fragmented markets, informality, restricted access to capital, and uneven digital adoption.

He noted that MTN, as a technology and fintech platform operating nationwide, is strategically positioned to help address these challenges.

“We sit at a unique intersection of connectivity, financial services, and data infrastructure on the one hand, and enterprise enablement on the other. That position gives us both responsibility and opportunity,” he said.

MTN Deepens Support for SMEs Through Training and Digital Solutions

The Chief Enterprise Business Officer of MTN Ghana, Angela Mensah-Poku, highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) during the launch of the 2026 SME Accelerate programme.

“This is the third year of SME Accelerate, and our goal remains clear: to ensure that communities across Ghana are not digitally left behind,” Mensah-Poku said.

She emphasised that SMEs are the lifeblood of the nation and the economy, and MTN is committed to celebrating, training, and building with businesses of all sizes from single-person operations to large corporates.

The programme is year-long and spans all regions, providing SMEs with training, certification, market access, and opportunities to showcase their products. “We want entrepreneurs to not only learn but also connect directly with customers through fairs and exhibitions,” she said.

Over the past three years, MTN has engaged over 2,000 businesses, listening to their needs and providing solutions for common challenges. “Many SMEs struggle to access affordable tools and formalise their businesses,” Mensah-Poku noted. To address these gaps, MTN has developed initiatives such as Yellow Biz, which provides SMEs with internet, email, and website access at low costs.

Supporting Female Entrepreneurs: The Adwumapa Bundle

A standout initiative under the programme is the Adwumapa bundle, specifically designed for female entrepreneurs, who represent over 60% of micro-businesses in Ghana.

The bundle offers free calls on Mondays to connect with customers, affordable data and voice packages, telemedicine access to consult a doctor without leaving their business, webinars and mentoring to enhance confidence and business knowledge, and insurance coverage to protect against fire or theft.

Mensah-Poku stressed that Adwumapa addresses the unique challenges women face, including balancing family responsibilities with running a business, lack of identification documents, and difficulties in accessing funding.

“Supporting female entrepreneurs is not about pampering; it’s about enabling them to manage their health, grow their business, and build resilience,” she said.

Expanding Reach and Encouraging Partnerships

Mensah-Poku encouraged all SMEs to engage with MTN through retail stores, social media channels, and SME teams, emphasising that the company cannot achieve these goals alone.

Partnerships with organisations like MasterCard, GIZ, and other capability partners are critical to the initiative’s success.

Looking ahead, MTN aims to triple the number of SMEs impacted in 2026, targeting 3,000 businesses for capacity-building support, including expanded Mini MBA programmes, webinars, and training sessions.

“Whether you are a youth entrepreneur, a woman running a business, or someone with a side hustle, SME Accelerate is here to build your capacity and help you grow,” she concluded.

SME Accelerate Supports Government’s Youth Enterprise Agenda

The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare Addo, described the SME Accelerate programme as a vital platform for empowering young entrepreneurs and driving Ghana’s economic transformation.

He noted that many successful businesses begin from humble beginnings such as small kiosks, market stalls, bedrooms, or even from the trunks of cars.

“What drives entrepreneurs forward is the belief that something small can grow into something significant,” he said.

The minister said the government remains committed to unlocking the entrepreneurial potential of young people through programmes such as the Adwumawura initiative, which is expected to support about 10,000 young entrepreneurs annually, and the National Apprenticeship Programme.

He added that partnerships between government and the private sector are crucial in building a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“Government can build the roads and create the legal framework, but it is the private sector that provides the vehicles that move on those roads,” he stated.

MTN Programme Complements GEA’s SME Development Efforts

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Margaret Ansei, commended MTN Ghana for launching the initiative, describing it as the type of structured private-sector programme needed to support SME development in the country.

“This is the type of initiative Ghana needs more of structured, private sector-led programmes designed to move businesses forward,” she said.

She noted that SMEs represent the majority of registered businesses in Ghana and remain key drivers of employment and innovation.

“When an SME grows, it does not grow alone. It pulls suppliers, employees, families, and entire communities along with it,” she explained.

Ansei also welcomed MTN’s decision to expand the programme to more regions, stressing that entrepreneurial talent exists across the country.

Nova Business School Africa Provides Knowledge Support

The President of Nova Business School Africa, Professor Mathew Tsamenyi, whose institution serves as the knowledge partner for the initiative, said the programme will equip entrepreneurs with the skills and mindset needed to grow their businesses.

He revealed that in the previous edition of the programme, 50 SMEs participated in a 13-week accelerated Mini MBA programme hosted by the school.

According to him, SMEs account for nearly 80 percent of Ghana’s economy, making their development critical to national growth.

“If Ghana is to grow, we must transform our SMEs from micro enterprises into powerful engines of the economy,” he said.

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MTN Announces New SME Activities and Strategic Partnerships

The Manager for SME Sales at MTN Ghana, Louisa Anarfi, outlined several activities planned under the 2026 SME Accelerate programme.

She said activities will include SME clinics across six regions, business webinars, exhibitions, and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs.

According to her, the programme will also feature initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs, youth-led businesses, family-owned enterprises, and businesses run by persons with disabilities.

Anarfi further announced a strategic partnership between MTN Business and the Association of Small Scale Industries (ASSI), aimed at promoting digitalisation, expanding market access, and supporting SMEs through e-commerce platforms.

She said the collaboration will enable small businesses to connect with customers online, access training opportunities, and grow their businesses across the country and beyond.

 

Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo