MTN Ghana, in partnership with The Academic Woman Foundation (TAW), has placed a spotlight on the urgent need for women entrepreneurs to secure their digital identity as a foundation for business growth. This call was made at the 2025 She Builds Conference, held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre.
The event brought together policymakers, women leaders, entrepreneurs, and advocates from across diverse industries to deliberate on strategies for advancing women’s empowerment, leadership development, and digital inclusion under the theme: “Women in Entrepreneurship, Law, Built Environment and Engineering: Where Are We Now, Where Are We Going, and What Do We Need to Do?”
Digital Identity as a Key Barrier
During a panel session, Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Ghana, emphasized the pivotal role women play in Ghana’s economy, noting that approximately 80% of informal businesses are run by women.
Despite this significant contribution, she explained, many women continue to face barriers that prevent them from scaling their businesses. Among these, she highlighted digital identity as one of the most critical issues.
“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 noted.
Ms. Mensah-Poku revealed that many women still operate mobile numbers registered under their husbands’ names, a practice that restricts their access to mobile money, banking platforms, and other digital services that are essential for running successful businesses.
She urged women to take ownership of their digital presence and called for mentorship, digital training, and tailored tools to help them transition their businesses from “good to great to greatest.”
MTN’s SME Solutions for Women
To support women entrepreneurs, MTN Ghana unveiled the MTN Adwumapa Bundle, a comprehensive package that combines affordable voice, data, SMS, and lifestyle services. Accessible via *5060#, the bundle is designed to keep women entrepreneurs connected, enhance their visibility, and strengthen business sustainability.
In addition, MTN showcased other SME-focused products such as Y’ello Biz and Webwiz, further reinforcing its commitment to providing women with digital solutions that promote growth, inclusion, and competitiveness in today’s market.
Gender Minister’s Keynote Address
Delivering the keynote speech, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, applauded MTN Ghana and TAW for spearheading conversations on women’s empowerment and digital inclusion.
She noted the growing presence of women across multiple sectors — from Parliament and the judiciary to corporate boardrooms, agriculture, technology, and the creative arts.
Dr. Lartey also celebrated Ghana’s historic achievement of appointing its first female Vice President, Professor Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, describing her as a source of inspiration for the nation’s young girls.
“Today, women are making their mark across all sectors. Above all, we are proud to celebrate Ghana’s first female Vice President, whose achievement serves as a beacon of hope for young girls across the country,” she said.
A Platform for Inclusion and Growth
The She Builds Conference 2025 served as a powerful reminder of the need to address systemic barriers to women’s growth while celebrating the strides women continue to make in Ghana’s development.
Through MTN Ghana’s innovative digital solutions and the government’s commitment to inclusivity, the event reinforced the importance of digital identity, mentorship, and access to technology as non-negotiables for unlocking the full potential of women entrepreneurs.
The conference closed with a resounding call to action: for women to secure their digital identities, embrace technology, and harness the resources available to build resilient and impactful businesses in Ghana.
