Ghanaian small businesses are gaining new life through the AfNEXT project, which is equipping entrepreneurs with modern machinery and training, creating jobs and boosting competitiveness at home and abroad.
Launched to boost production capacity and export readiness, the project has provided more than 50 SMEs across the country with modern machinery, technical training, and international exposure.
SMEs account for over 90 percent of businesses in Ghana, yet a $4.8 billion financing gap has often limited their ability to scale up. By co-financing the purchase of over 200 machines, AfNEXT has bridged part of this gap and sparked meaningful transformation.
The results are tangible. Beneficiary enterprises have reported higher efficiency, reduced production costs, and access to new markets.
Also, manufacturers of food products, cosmetics, and industrial goods who once struggled to meet demand can now expand their operations, creating new jobs and delivering better-quality goods. Industry experts project the creation of more than 300 decent jobs as a direct result of the project.
But the initiative went beyond machines. AfNEXT offered training in quality management, food safety, occupational health and safety, and international marketing.
These skills are equipping Ghanaian entrepreneurs to compete not just locally but regionally and globally.
However, exchange programmes with SMEs in Egypt and Ethiopia, along with exposure to trade fairs in Europe and Africa, have opened doors to export opportunities that were once out of reach.
Mr. John Duti, Team Leader of Invest for Jobs at GIZ Ghana, stressed that the introduction of modern equipment is also driving sustainability.
“The installation and use of modern equipment enables SMEs to improve efficiency while saving money through reduced wastage of water, electricity, and other resources. This contributes to a Just Transition where our economy becomes more inclusive and eco-friendly,” he said.
From the AGI’s perspective, AfNEXT has been a model of integrated support. “These competencies not only improve operational standards but also build resilience and sustainability in an increasingly competitive market,” said Mr. Nathaniel Quarcoopome, AGI’s Director of Finance and Administration.
He explained that combining financial assistance with training and international linkages ensures long-term growth instead of short-term relief.
The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) has also praised the initiative, with Director of Policy Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mrs. Philomena Dsane, calling for beneficiaries to be used as mentors for other businesses.
“Behind each figure is a team that’s learned, invested, and adapted in a Ghanaian product that is now better prepared to compete,” she said.
AGI Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Seth Twum-Akwaboah, captured the overall impact: “The AfNEXT project exemplifies the power of integrated support, combining financial assistance through equipment grants with capacity building and international exposure. This holistic approach ensures not just short-term fixes but long-term growth and improved market access.”
For Ghanaian SMEs, AfNEXT has proven that with the right mix of investment, training, and partnerships, local businesses can move from surviving to thriving, creating jobs, raising standards, and positioning themselves as competitive players on the global stage.
