Entrepreneurs across Ghana welcomed the country’s first official International MSME Day with optimism and renewed calls for policy reforms, financing access, and stronger digital infrastructure to support their growth and sustainability.
Held under the theme “Empowering MSMEs, Connecting Entrepreneurs for a Digital and Sustainable Future,” the event created a platform for small business owners, startups, and private sector players to engage directly with policymakers, signaling a potential turning point in Ghana’s enterprise development landscape.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) account for over 90% of registered businesses in Ghana, contributing roughly 70% to GDP and employing more than 85% of the manufacturing workforce. But many of these businesses continue to face structural challenges, including limited access to affordable credit, digital tools, and formal markets.
For many in attendance, the highlight was the unveiling of new support mechanisms led by the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), which has pledged to spearhead a more inclusive and digitally empowered MSME ecosystem. Margaret Ansei, Acting CEO of GEA, stressed the importance of building not just resilient businesses, but empowered entrepreneurs.
“Our goal is not simply to manage the sector but to transform it, from financing and digital skills to market linkages and innovation, MSMEs deserve every tool necessary to thrive,” she said.
Business owners and private sector actors lauded the announcement of the MSME Gateway Portal, a one-stop digital platform developed with UNDP support. The platform is poised to provide entrepreneurs with real-time access to funding opportunities, training resources, regulatory updates, and data-driven insights.
“This portal could be a game changer, we’ve needed a centralized system to cut through bureaucracy and connect us to markets and investors, some businesses owners said.
Startups in the agritech, fashion, logistics, and services sectors also welcomed the government’s plan to digitally onboard 250,000 MSMEs onto e-commerce, payment, and business platforms by 2027.
Delivering the keynote address, Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare emphasized that bold targets are essential to driving sustainable economic transformation.
She announced four key targets to be achieved within the next two years, including unlocking GHS 6 billion in affordable credit for 100,000 MSMEs, 60% of which will be directed at women and youth.
Other strategic goals include operationalizing three agroecological and industrial parks, slashing certification time and cost by 40%, and reforming Ghana’s National MSME Policy to meet evolving needs.
Panel discussions and exhibitions held throughout the day provided real-time feedback from entrepreneurs, with issues such as delayed payments by government institutions, lack of investor protection, and inconsistent tax policies dominating conversations.
Representatives from the UNDP, GIZ, Stanbic Bank, and MTN Ghana reinforced their commitment to collaborating with GEA and other institutions to ensure that MSMEs have access to capital, mentorship, and scalable digital solutions.
