The programme, which enters its third year, formed part of MTN Ghana’s broader commitment to strengthening the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and supporting business growth.

Speaking at the launch, Chief Enterprise Business Officer of MTN Ghana, Angela Mensah-Poku, said that the initiative reflected the company’s commitment to ensuring businesses across Ghana were equipped with the tools needed to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.

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

According to her, SMEs remained the backbone of Ghana’s economy, serving as key drivers of innovation, employment and economic growth.

She noted that the SME Accelerate programme was designed to support businesses at different stages of development, from small start-ups to established enterprises, through training, certification, market access and networking opportunities.

“The programme is year-long and spans all regions, providing SMEs with opportunities to learn, showcase their products and connect directly with customers through fairs and exhibitions,” she said.

Ms Mensah-Poku disclosed that over the past three years MTN Ghana had engaged with more than 2,000 businesses, providing solutions to address some of the common challenges faced by entrepreneurs.

She explained that many SMEs struggled with access to affordable digital tools and the processes required to formalise their businesses.

To address these gaps, MTN Ghana introduced solutions such as Yellow Biz, which provided small businesses with affordable internet access, professional email services and website support to strengthen their digital presence.

A key feature of the SME Accelerate initiative is the Adwumapa bundle, a solution specifically designed to support female entrepreneurs who make up more than 60 percent of micro-business owners in Ghana.

The bundle offered benefits including free calls on Mondays to help entrepreneurs connect with customers, affordable voice and data packages, and telemedicine services that allowed business owners to consult medical professionals without leaving their workplaces.

Participants also received access to business webinars, mentoring opportunities and insurance coverage to help protect their businesses against risks such as fire or theft.

Ms Mensah-Poku said the package was designed to address the unique challenges women faced when running businesses, including balancing family responsibilities and limited access to resources.

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

She also emphasised the importance of partnerships in expanding opportunities for SMEs, noting that MTN Ghana worked with organisations such as Mastercard, GIZ and other capability partners** to deliver training and business support programmes.

Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, in a recorded message to participants, emphasised the critical role SMEs play in driving economic growth and job creation.

He noted that while SMEs accounted for the majority of business activity and employment in Ghana, many still faced structural challenges that limited their productivity and growth.

“These constraints include limited scale, fragmented markets, constrained access to capital and uneven digital adoption,” he said.

Mr Blewett explained that MTN Ghana was leveraging its position as a technology and fintech platform to support businesses through improved connectivity, financial services and digital infrastructure.

“Our goal is to reduce the structural barriers that limit SME growth by enabling entrepreneurs through technology, strengthened business capability and resilient systems that support sustainable scale,” he said.

The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment,George Opare Addo, commended MTN Ghana for creating platforms that empowered entrepreneurs and helped transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses.

He noted that investments in digital infrastructure and business development platforms were essential for expanding economic opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

“When companies expand network coverage or develop digital business tools, they are enabling innovation, expanding markets and creating sustainable livelihoods,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Margaret Ansei, also welcomed the initiative, describing it as a structured private-sector programme that complemented national efforts to support SME development.

She noted that SMEs remained the backbone of Ghana’s economy and major contributors to employment and innovation across communities.

President of Nova Business School Africa, Professor Mathew Tsamenyi, whose institution partnered with MTN Ghana on the programme’s training component, said structured business education was essential for entrepreneurs seeking to scale their businesses.

He noted that through the partnership, participating SMEs would receive practical training aimed at strengthening leadership capacity, strategic thinking and business management skills needed to grow sustainable enterprises.

As part of the 2026 SME Accelerate programme, MTN Ghana said it would organise SME clinics, business webinars and training sessions across several regions, covering areas such as financial management, digital transformation and business growth strategies.

The programme would also expand its reach to six regions Ashanti, Greater Accra, Western, Eastern, Volta and Northern providing entrepreneurs with practical support and opportunities to strengthen their businesses.

Through the SME Accelerate initiative, MTN Ghana aims to empower entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge and networks needed to build resilient businesses while contributing to job creation and long-term economic growth.