MTN Ghana has empowered 120 entrepreneurs in the Ashanti Region through its SME Business Clinic in Kumasi, an initiative designed to equip small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with critical business, financial, and digital skills to improve their competitiveness and sustainability.
The clinic was organized under MTN’s flagship SME Accelerate Programme, which focuses on strengthening the capacity of SMEs by providing them with training, digital solutions, and access to essential business services. Participants included members of dressmaking and tailoring associations, trade groups, and sole proprietors drawn from Kumasi and its surrounding communities.
Addressing the entrepreneurs, Senior Manager for SME Sales at MTN Ghana, Mr. Abubakari Sidick, said the clinic was created as a practical platform to address the unique challenges confronting SMEs in Ghana. He explained that the name “clinic” was chosen because it serves as a space where the issues affecting small businesses are diagnosed and solutions are prescribed.
“This is the fourth SME Clinic we have held in Kumasi, and each time we learn more about how best to support our entrepreneurs. SMEs are vital to Ghana’s economy, but many continue to face barriers such as access to finance, lack of insurance, and stock protection challenges. Through this clinic, we are equipping them with practical knowledge and digital tools to overcome these barriers and grow their businesses,” he said.
The clinic also introduced participants to MTN’s suite of digital solutions, including voice, data, and SMS packages, as well as business management platforms tailored for SMEs. These solutions, according to Mr. Sidick, are part of MTN’s strategy to promote digital adoption and position small businesses to take advantage of modern technology for growth.
A major highlight of the programme was MTN’s collaboration with Sanlam Allianz, a leading financial services and insurance provider. Head of Business Development and Distribution (Corporate and Commercial) at Sanlam Allianz, Ernestina Nana Adwoa Oyelaran, said her organization recognizes the enormous sacrifices entrepreneurs make in building their businesses and is committed to helping them safeguard their investments.
“SMEs are the backbone of every economy. They put in their money, time, and energy to keep their businesses alive. It is only right that we help them protect their investments and stock while giving them the confidence to expand. That is why our partnership with MTN is so important—we want to empower entrepreneurs to live and work with confidence,” she said.
The event was not only about training but also provided a platform for businesses to showcase their products and services at an SME Fair. This created market visibility for participants, expanded their customer base, and allowed them to network and form partnerships with other businesses. Many exhibitors described the fair as an opportunity that opened new doors for growth and collaboration.
Participants praised the clinic for its practical approach and its impact on their perception of small businesses. One entrepreneur noted, “We have learned that the size of a business does not determine its importance. The clinic has taught us how to keep proper records, manage risks, and protect our stock. It has been an eye-opener.”
The Kumasi Business Clinic was part of MTN’s activities marking SME Month, which features workshops, exhibitions, and training sessions across the country to strengthen small businesses. Through these initiatives, MTN Ghana continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs as the backbone of Ghana’s economy.
With the success of the Kumasi clinic, MTN has once again shown that empowering SMEs with business, digital, and financial skills is not just an investment in entrepreneurs but also in the nation’s economic growth.
