MTN Ghana, in partnership with The Academic Woman Foundation (TAW), has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s entrepreneurship in Ghana by unveiling innovative Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) solutions at the 2025 She Builds Conference, held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre.
The conference, themed “Women in Entrepreneurship, Law, Built Environment and Engineering: Where Are We Now, Where Are We Going, and What Do We Need to Do?”, brought together influential women leaders, professionals, policymakers, and advocates from across various sectors. It provided a platform to discuss critical issues surrounding empowerment, leadership, and digital inclusion for women.
Addressing Barriers to Women’s Growth
Speaking during a panel session, Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Ghana, underscored the crucial role women play in Ghana’s economic development while pointing out systemic barriers that continue to hinder their progress.
“At some point, we need to recognise that a significant number of businesses in Ghana are female-led. In fact, about 80% of informal businesses are run by women. Yet, many of these entrepreneurs remain locked out of growth opportunities due to limited access to funding, digital tools, formal networks, and mentorship,” she stated.
Ms. Mensah-Poku emphasized that challenges around digital identity remain one of the most pressing barriers. She explained that many women still operate mobile numbers registered under their husbands’ names, restricting access to mobile money services, digital banking, and other critical platforms.
“Digital identity begins with something as simple as having a personal phone number, accurate KYC details, and a Ghana Card. If women are excluded at this basic level, they’re cut off from broader economic opportunities,” she stressed.
She further called for targeted mentorship, access to digital training, and the right tools to help women entrepreneurs scale their businesses from “good to great to greatest.”
MTN’s SME Solutions for Women
As part of its showcase, MTN Ghana introduced the MTN Adwumapa Bundle, a comprehensive SME package offering affordable voice, data, SMS, and lifestyle services tailored for small and medium-sized businesses. The bundle, which can be accessed via *5060#, is designed to keep entrepreneurs connected while strengthening their brand presence and long-term sustainability.
Other SME-focused products highlighted included Y’ello Biz and Webwiz, both aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs to digitize, expand, and thrive in increasingly competitive markets.
According to MTN, these solutions form part of a broader commitment to empower women through technology and connectivity, enabling them to bridge the gap between informal and formal economies.
Keynote by Gender Minister
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, praised Ghana’s progress in enhancing women’s participation across multiple sectors. She noted the increasing visibility of women in Parliament, the judiciary, corporate boardrooms, agriculture, technology, creative arts, and entrepreneurship.
She also highlighted the symbolic significance of Ghana’s first female Vice President, Professor Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, describing her achievement as a beacon of hope for young girls across the country.
“Today, women are making their mark in every sphere of national life. However, we must ensure that equal opportunities are sustained and expanded, particularly in access to funding, mentorship, and digital inclusion,” Dr. Lartey remarked.
A Platform for Empowerment
The She Builds Conference served as both a celebration of women’s achievements and a call to action for greater representation and leadership in key sectors. Discussions centered on the importance of breaking barriers, closing gender gaps, and ensuring that women-led businesses have the necessary resources to thrive in Ghana’s evolving economy.
With MTN Ghana’s renewed push for tailored digital solutions and the government’s commitment to inclusivity, the conference marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing journey toward economic empowerment for women entrepreneurs in Ghana.
