By Enock Akonnor (Managing Editor)
As part of a broader national agenda to promote inclusive economic growth through digital transformation, MTN Ghana has launched another edition of its SME Business Clinic in Kumasi, engaging 120 entrepreneurs across key value chains in the Ashanti Region.
This initiative is a component of MTN’s SME Accelerate Programme, which is specifically engineered to enhance the resilience, competitiveness, and scalability of Ghanaian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The program targets structural gaps in SME development, with a focus on financial inclusion, digital integration, and business continuity strategies.
Enabling Innovation and Market Access
The SME Business Clinic provides a hybrid platform for both capacity building and technology adoption. Through the accompanying SME Fair, participating entrepreneurs are introduced to MTN’s suite of enterprise-focused digital solutions, ranging from integrated communication tools to data-driven customer engagement platforms.
“This is more than just a networking event,” said MTN Senior Manager for SME Sales, Mr. Abubakari Sidick. “We are creating an ecosystem where SMEs can explore how technology can transform their operations, from digitizing payment systems to leveraging cloud services for inventory and financial management.”
In parallel, the fair provides market-facing exposure by allowing SMEs to exhibit goods and services, unlock new customer segments, and explore cross-sector collaboration.
Addressing Structural Barriers to Growth
Ghanaian SMEs continue to face well-documented challenges, limited access to financing, insufficient risk management tools, and low digital adoption being among the most persistent.
The SME Clinic is positioned as a targeted intervention that addresses these issues through technical workshops and solution-driven stakeholder engagement.
“This marks our fourth clinic in Kumasi, and each time we’ve adapted the model to meet local needs,” Mr. Sidick added. “We work with the entrepreneurs to identify specific pain points, whether it’s access to insurance or poor data management and we provide practical solutions they can implement immediately.”
Strategic Risk Mitigation: Partnership with Sanlam Allianz
A key highlight of this year’s clinic is MTN’s collaboration with Sanlam Allianz, aimed at integrating business protection and insurance literacy into SME growth strategies.
Ernestina Nana Adwoa Oyelaran, Head of Business Development (Corporate and Commercial), explained:
“We recognize that SMEs are highly exposed to operational and financial risks. Through this partnership, we are helping them formalize risk mitigation practices. Our products are designed not just for protection, but to enable these entrepreneurs to plan and scale with greater confidence.”
This alignment between digital enablers and financial risk mitigation creates a holistic framework for enterprise development.
Transformational Impact on Grassroots Enterprises
Participants from the tailoring, dressmaking, and small retail sectors described the clinic as a transformative experience. For many, it was the first structured exposure to digital business tools, financial literacy, and formal business practices.
One attendee noted:
“We now understand the importance of maintaining proper records, having insurance, and thinking long-term. It’s changed how we view our businesses; not just as income sources but as scalable ventures.”
Conclusion: Private Sector Innovation for Inclusive Growth
MTN Ghana’s SME Clinic exemplifies how private sector innovation can serve as a catalyst for inclusive economic development. By aligning digital solutions with business capacity-building and strategic partnerships, the initiative supports a vision of SMEs as engines of growth, job creation, and resilience in Ghana’s economy.
The model presents a compelling case for public-private collaboration, where telecommunications, finance, and entrepreneurship intersect to drive sustainable transformation at the grassroots level.
Source; www.leakyghana.com
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
Contact:
📞 +233 541 921 562
✉️ enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
