MTN Ghana has launched its 2026 “SME Accelerate” Programme, an initiative designed to strengthen the capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and enhance their competitiveness through digital tools, training, mentorship and access to markets.
The programme, launched in Accra, forms part of MTN’s broader strategy to support enterprise development and position SMEs at the centre of Ghana’s economic transformation.
The initiative will provide business training, digital solutions, SME clinics, webinars, mentorship and access to finance, while also connecting entrepreneurs to new markets and networks through strategic partnerships.
Launching the programme, the Chief Enterprise Officer of MTN Ghana, Angela Mensah-Poku, said supporting small businesses had always been central to the company’s growth in the country.
“Living hand-to-mouth is a challenge many businesses face, and our commitment to supporting them is not new. It is woven into the fabric of our history in this country,” she said.
She noted that over the past three decades, MTN had witnessed many small businesses evolve into successful enterprises that now contribute significantly to the Ghanaian economy.
“For three decades MTN has grown alongside the Ghanaian spirit. We have seen small tabletop businesses grow into multi-city enterprises. We have seen dreams and ideas scribbled on napkins transformed into thriving businesses that now form the backbone of our economy,” she added.
Ms Mensah Poku said the SME Accelerate initiative was designed to help entrepreneurs operate “better, faster and smarter” in an increasingly digital economy.
“Doing business better, faster and smarter is not a luxury; it is the blueprint for the 24-hour economy we are building together,” she stated.
As part of the programme, MTN will expand its SME clinics to reach businesses in more regions across the country, bringing business advisory services and digital tools directly to entrepreneurs.
“These clinics will move from the vibrant markets of Kumasi to the emerging hubs of Tamale and the industrial heart of Takoradi,” she explained.
“Through these clinics, we will provide support in financial management, digital training and direct mentorship.”
The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, emphasised that strengthening the SME ecosystem was essential to Ghana’s economic growth.
According to him, enabling SMEs to transition from manual systems to digital platforms would significantly improve productivity and competitiveness.
“Accelerating national growth depends on enterprising engagement. Enabling the SME ecosystem to move from manual processes to digital systems is critical,” he said.
“Modernising SMEs and positioning them at the centre of Ghana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem will significantly contribute to the country’s economic growth.”
The Minister for Youth Development and Employment, George Opare Addo, described the initiative as a timely intervention that aligns with government’s broader agenda to unlock the entrepreneurial potential of young people.
He said many young people across the country possessed strong business ideas but often lacked access to the right platforms and resources to scale them.
“As I engage with young people in communities, universities, markets and innovation hubs, I see a fire in their eyes. They speak not only about the jobs they hope to find, but also about the businesses they hope to build,” he said.
“But ambition alone is not enough. Young people need platforms, opportunities, networks, access and tools that can transform ideas into thriving enterprises.”
He noted that the SME Accelerate programme was therefore a practical response to the aspirations of Ghanaian entrepreneurs seeking to compete in the digital economy.
“MTN’s SME Accelerate initiative is not just another programme. It is a practical response to the aspirations of thousands of Ghanaian entrepreneurs determined to grow their businesses and compete in the modern digital economy,” the minister added.
The Minister also stressed that partnerships between government and the private sector were critical for enterprise growth.
“Government can build the roads and put in place the legal framework, but it is the private sector that provides the vehicles that move on those roads,” he said.
The minister further appealed to MTN to consider reducing the cost of data to support entrepreneurs and young innovators who rely heavily on digital platforms to run their businesses.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, Margaret Ansei, commended MTN Ghana for investing in the growth of small businesses.
She noted that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) constitute the largest proportion of registered businesses in the country and remain the biggest source of employment.
“Despite their enormous growth potential, MSMEs make up the largest proportion of registered businesses in Ghana. They are the primary creators of employment, incubators of innovation and the connective tissue of local economies across every region,” she said.
She explained that initiatives such as SME Accelerate help bridge the gap between business ambition and access to the right resources.
“What separates a business that scales successfully from one that struggles is often not just the quality of the idea, but access — access to knowledge, access to the right networks and access to mentors who can guide critical decisions,” she added.
Mrs Ansei also welcomed MTN’s decision to extend the programme beyond major cities to entrepreneurs in other regions of the country.
“Entrepreneurial talent is not confined to Accra or the major cities we are familiar with. It is distributed across the country,” she said.
A representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Seth Akumani, also pledged the organisation’s support for the initiative.
He noted that micro and small enterprises form the backbone of many economies but often struggle with limited access to finance and other support systems.
“The reason why the MTN support for SMEs to transition and grow their businesses is a welcome venture,” he said.
“The UNDP looks forward to working in partnership to strengthen the SME ecosystem and unlock new opportunities for SMEs in the country.”
Programme features
The 2026 SME Accelerate programme will feature a range of initiatives aimed at improving the business capabilities of entrepreneurs.
Among them is the Y’ello Biz SME Plus initiative, which focuses on supporting women entrepreneurs. The programme will allow women-owned businesses to access tailored services and business support once their Ghana Card confirms their eligibility.
MTN will also continue with its business webinars, which recorded strong participation last year and covered topics such as funding, investments and financial management.
The company will also expand its Mini MBA programme for entrepreneurs. While about 50 business leaders participated in the programme last year, the number will increase to more than 100 this year.
Another highlight of the initiative will be the MTN SME Ghana Awards, which recognise and celebrate small businesses that are excelling in their respective sectors.
Ms Mensah Poku encouraged entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the opportunities being offered through the programme.
“To the young innovators here today, you are not just small business owners — you are job creators and the engines of Ghana’s GDP,” she said.
“Our 30-year legacy exists because you had the courage to start. Now we are giving you the tools to scale.”
By ELVIS DARKO, Accra
