Sustainable economic growth depends on strong SMEs, not just large corporations – MTN CEO

…as MTN Ghana launches SME Accelerate programme

By Christabel DANSO ABEAM

Sustainable economic growth, according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, depends on strong Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) rather than large corporations

Speaking at the launch of the MTN Ghana SME Accelerate, a year – long programme aimed at empowering SMEs across the country through digital transformation and business support solution, the CEO noted that even though SMEs account for the majority of business activity and employment in Ghana they however continue to operate below their full productivity potential due to structural challenges.

According to him, these challenges include limited scale, fragmented markets, informal business structures, constrained access to capital and uneven digital adoption.

“To accelerate national growth, we must address the structural barriers that limit SME’s progress,” he said, explaining that enterprises that are not digitally visible, financially integrated and standards-compliant may struggle to participate in increasingly interconnected global value chains.

Mr. Blewett added that the SME Accelerator programme aims to help businesses transition from informal operations into structured enterprises, move from manual processes to digital systems and integrate into national, regional and global value chains.

“As a technology and fintech platform operating on a national scale, we sit at the intersection of connectivity, financial services and data infrastructure on one hand and enterprise enablement on the other,” he said.

Angela Mensah-Poku, MTN Ghana’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, also during her speech reiterated the company’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and supporting SMEs, which are the backbone of Ghana’s economy.

“SMEs are the lifeblood of this nation and the economy, and we are dedicated to celebrating, recognizing, training, and building with them,” Mensah-Poku said.

She further explained that the programme is part of MTN’s broader strategy to strengthen the SME ecosystem and accelerate economic growth in Ghana as SMEs account for nearly 80 percent of Ghana’s economy, making their development critical to national growth.

The CEO of Ghana Enterprises Agency also commended MTN Ghana for the initiative – while noting that SMEs remain the primary drivers of employment and innovation across the country.

“When SMEs grow, they create ripple effects across supply chains, families and communities, underscoring the importance of programmes that provide entrepreneurs with access to knowledge, mentorship and networks,” she underscored.

The Minister for Youth and Sports, George Opare Addo, also highlighted the growing entrepreneurial ambitions among young Ghanaians and the need for platforms that support youth-led businesses.

He recounted the story of a young woman from the Oti Region who learned through mobile technology how to solar-dry ginger and expressed her dream of establishing a factory rather than seeking a desk job.

“That statement captures the spirit of the Ghanaian youth – bold, ambitious and innovative,” he said.

According to the minister, government remains committed to unlocking the entrepreneurial potential of young people through targeted initiatives aimed at job creation and skills development.

He said programmes supporting youth enterprise currently target about 10,000 young entrepreneurs annually, with plans to expand support to even more beneficiaries through collaborations with private sector partners.

He also noted that the government’s National Apprenticeship Programme seeks to equip young people with practical skills that will enable them to create businesses and build productive careers.

Mr. Opare Addo emphasised the importance of partnerships between government and the private sector, noting that while government can provide infrastructure and policy frameworks, the private sector ultimately drives enterprise and innovation.

“To the leadership of MTN Ghana, when you expand network coverage or develop digital tools for businesses, you are doing far more than selling connectivity – you are enabling innovation, expanding markets and empowering entrepreneurs,” he said.

He further encouraged entrepreneurs to move beyond survival and focus on scaling their businesses while prioritising quality, innovation and collaboration.

“Build brands that can compete beyond the shores of Ghana and place the ‘Made in Ghana’ label on global shelves,” he urged.

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