Kwesi Ofori-Junior, Executive Director of SMEGA, emphasized the significance of the awards. "As we gather here tonight, we celebrate not just the winners, but the entire SME ecosystem that drives our economy forward. SMEs are the backbone of our nation, providing employment, innovation, and economic growth.

Steven Blewett, CEO of MTN Ghana, in a video message, emphasized MTN's commitment to supporting SMEs. "This is why our partnership with SME Ghana Awards goes beyond sponsorship. It's a commitment. A commitment to empower, to connect, to help Ghanaian businesses thrive in an increasingly digital and globally competitive market," he said.

The Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. Shri Manish Gupta, also expressed his commitment to supporting SMEs. "Tonight, as we celebrate excellence across industries, from agribusiness to technology, from services to manufacturing, we also celebrate perseverance, creativity, and the power of a vision," he said.

Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Ghana, highlighted MTN's initiatives to support SMEs. "At MTN Business, we believe in our purpose, which is to enable Ghanaian businesses to thrive, scale, and lead digital in this new global world," she said.

She also emphasized the importance of women in business, saying, "To the women leading the inspiring change, we salute your determination and strength." Angela further mentioned MTN's initiatives, such as Adwuma Pa, which supports women in business with affordable bundles, access to microfinance, insurance, health support, and business training.

The awards recognized 21 winners across various categories. The winners included:

- Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics: Sincheshea

- Textile, Clothing, and Garment: Akaal Skills Devt

- Food Processing: B-Diet Limited

- Food and Beverage: Yesli Ice

- Construction and Building Materials: Saan One One Company Ltd

- Rising Star Category: Haps Global Logistics

- Business Potential Discovery (Micro Entrepreneur): Evergreen Blessed Ltd

- Agribusiness Sector (Crop Production): Lexvee Agro Processing

- Agribusiness Sector (Agro Processing): Queen GAF Enterprise

- Agribusiness Sector (Agro Commodity Trade): Minana Services

- Food Product Category (Trade Sector): BDiet

- Trade (Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics): Sincheshea

- Service Sector (Education Category): Akaal Skills Devt Academy

- Production Innovation: Yesli Ice

- Tech Adoption: Sincheshea

- SME Export Excellence Category: Queen GAF Enterprise

- SME Leaders Excellence Category: Charles (B-Diet)

- SME Woman Entrepreneur Category: Rita (Yesli Ice)

- Recognition Awards:

    - SME Industry Shapers: James Ebo Whyte

    - Long Service Category: Joyce Ababio

    - Media Reportage Category: Connect 97.1 FM

Yesli Ice was crowned the Overall Best SME of the Year.

The event also featured a partnership announcement between MTN Ghana and Star Life, providing fully funded life package insurance to the winners. Additionally, Fidelity Bank offered loans to the winners, and MTN Ghana provided services to support their businesses.