Ghana: MTN Foundation Launches Volta Region Cohort of SME Support Programme

On November 5, the MTN Foundation achieved a significant milestone by launching the Volta Region cohort of its impactful SME Support Programme. This initiative is designed to foster resilience and growth among small businesses, with a particular focus on enterprises led by women, youth, and persons with disabilities. The programme provides essential training, financial support, and access to digital tools.

During the onboarding ceremony, Senior Manager of the MTN Foundation, Robert Kuzoe, emphasized the programme’s dedication to inclusivity and its vital role in empowering micro and small enterprises across Ghana. “We started this initiative last year, and this year we’ve done 50 in the Central Region. Today, we are here to also do another 50 in the Volta Region, and next week, we’ll be in Koforidua to do the same,” Kuzoe said. He highlighted the foundation’s commitment to supporting women-led businesses, youth-led businesses, and differently-abled businesses, stating, “This initiative is a testament to MTN’s commitment to inclusivity ensuring no one is left behind.”

He also stressed that the program goes beyond financial aid by equipping participants with crucial business skills, including digital literacy and mobile money applications. “We’re not just providing money; we’re also imparting essential principles for running a business. From basic bookkeeping to using mobile phones for marketing and transactions, the goal is to empower participants to use their profits wisely and reinvest in their businesses rather than just spending,” he explained.

Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, celebrated the SME programme’s significant impact on Ghana’s economy, noting its alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. “By empowering these businesses, we are not only contributing to their individual prosperity but also fostering a more dynamic and inclusive economy for all,” Wiafe shared.

The Executive Director of Innohub Foundation, Dr. David Amo, highlighted the successes of the programme’s first year, with beneficiaries reporting increased revenues and expanded job creation. Total revenues rose from GH₵7,631,444 in 2022 to GH₵11,514,543 in 2023, and job numbers grew from 631 to 722.

As MTN’s SME Support Programme enters its second year, it continues to empower small-scale enterprises with the tools needed to thrive and contribute to Ghana’s economic resilience. The programme will conclude its initial three-year cycle next year, after which the MTN Foundation will review its impact and refine the initiative to provide even greater support to future cohorts.