MTN Ghana has reinforced its commitment to small business development with the launch of the 2025 SME Awards, positioning the initiative as a key driver of enterprise growth, capacity building and economic expansion.
Speaking at the launch, Sadiq Abubakar, Senior Manager for SME at MTN Ghana, said the awards form part of the company’s broader SME Accelerate Programme, a year-long intervention designed to equip small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the tools, training and technological support needed to scale.
He explained that the awards component, organised in partnership with SMEGA, goes beyond recognition to serve as a strategic platform for identifying high-potential businesses and integrating them into structured growth pathways.
“This is about more than awards. It is about building capacity and enabling SMEs to grow sustainably. When SMEs grow, Ghana’s economy grows,” he said.
The 2025 edition will feature 18 competitive categories spanning key sectors such as agribusiness, digital technology and trade reflecting the diverse contribution of SMEs to Ghana’s economic landscape.
A major highlight of this year’s programme is its geographic expansion. MTN Ghana has increased its regional coverage from four to six regions, adding the Eastern and Volta Regions to its outreach. This expansion is expected to deepen inclusion and extend opportunities to underserved business communities.
According to Mr. Abubakar, the programme has already trained approximately 400 SMEs across the Volta and Ashanti Regions through business clinics and capacity-building sessions.
“These clinics are designed to provide practical skills and insights to SMEs, helping them improve operations, access markets and adopt digital tools,” he noted.
Beyond basic training, selected SMEs will be enrolled into an advanced business development track, including a 13-week Mini-MBA programme delivered in partnership with Mova Business School.
This year, about 90 SMEs will participate in the programme, structured into three cohorts of 30 participants each. The initiative aims to strengthen managerial capacity, strategic thinking and long-term business sustainability.
The first cohort is expected to commence in the coming weeks.
Responding to debates about whether support should focus on high-growth firms or smaller informal enterprises, Mr. Abubakar emphasized MTN Ghana’s inclusive approach.
He noted that while high-performing SMEs are important for scaling economic impact, informal and less visible businesses also play a critical role in job creation and local economic activity.
“At MTN, we are open to all SMEs formal and informal, small or medium. Many businesses are doing remarkable work but lack visibility. Our role is to identify, support and nurture them,” he said.
SMEs are widely regarded as the backbone of Ghana’s economy, contributing significantly to employment and GDP. However, many face persistent challenges, including limited access to finance, inadequate managerial capacity and low digital adoption.
MTN Ghana’s SME Accelerate Programme seeks to address these gaps through a combination of training, mentorship, digital tools and strategic partnerships.
With the 2025 awards launch, the telecom company is not only celebrating entrepreneurial success but also strengthening a pipeline of resilient businesses capable of driving Ghana’s next phase of economic growth.
