GH¢2 Million Lifeline: MTN SME Support Program Spurs Growth of Shea, Fashion, and Agribusiness Ventures

The entrepreneurial spirit of northern Ghana received a powerful boost this week as 160 small business owners were celebrated and awarded financial and technical support worth GH¢2 million under the MTN SME Support Program. The colourful ceremony, held at the Radach Lodge and Conference Centre in Tamale, underscored the remarkable resilience of women, youth, and differently-abled entrepreneurs who are driving innovation in sectors such as shea butter processing, agribusiness, fashion design, fish mongering, and the creative arts.

Organised by the MTN Ghana Foundation in partnership with Innohub and Fidelity Bank Ghana, the program is now in its third year and has become a vital lifeline for entrepreneurs in the northern regions. This year’s edition focused on businesses with the potential to transform communities and create jobs in industries deeply rooted in the region’s economy and culture.

Cynthia Mills, Economic Empowerment Advisor at the MTN Ghana Foundation, revealed that over 350 enterprises applied for the program from Tamale and Bolgatanga, with 160 carefully shortlisted after rigorous assessments. “This year, our focus has been to support businesses that hold immense potential for growth and sustainability. The shea butter processors, peanut butter producers, poultry farmers, fishmongers, fashion designers, and agribusiness owners we are celebrating today are not only improving their lives but also uplifting entire communities,” she said.

Breaking down the GH¢2 million disbursement, Mills explained that women-led businesses received GH¢970,000, youth-led enterprises secured GH¢630,000, while entrepreneurs with disabilities were awarded GH¢400,000. She added that the initiative was designed not just to provide financial relief but to build resilience and capacity for long-term growth.

Robert Kuzoe, Senior Manager at MTN Ghana, highlighted the holistic nature of the support. “We are not only handing out money. We are giving these entrepreneurs the tools and training to manage their resources wisely, reinvest profits, and build enterprises that will stand the test of time,” he said. “This is why our partnership with Innohub is critical—they bring the technical expertise to train beneficiaries in bookkeeping, business strategy, and sustainable management.”

Representing Innohub, Mame Serwaa Amoakohene, Chief of Staff, stressed the importance of empowering overlooked small and growing businesses. “Too often, small enterprises struggle to access financing and mentorship. This partnership with MTN Ghana Foundation and Fidelity Bank bridges that gap by giving entrepreneurs both funding and the knowledge to make their businesses investor-ready,” she noted.

The beneficiaries themselves offered heartfelt testimonies of how the support would transform their ventures. Niamatu Alhassan, CEO of Angbanlife, who produces Sobolo tea infused with ginger, clove, and lemongrass, described the award as a turning point. “With this support, I will scale up production, introduce new flavours, and reach more customers. This is more than money—it is a doorway to growth,” she said.

For Mohammed Tahiru, CEO of Suglo Shoe Enterprise, the grant represents recognition of his craft and resilience as a differently-abled entrepreneur. “Disability does not mean inability. With this support, I can improve the quality of my handmade shoes, expand my business, and support my family. MTN has shown that we also matter and can contribute meaningfully to society,” he said to rousing applause.

The event was graced by traditional leaders, business development experts, and representatives of the partner organisations, all of whom praised the program as a catalyst for inclusive growth.

As the curtains fell on the ceremony, it was clear that the MTN SME Support Program is far more than a financial initiative. It is a lifeline for businesses in key sectors like shea butter, agribusiness, and fashion design, where small but determined entrepreneurs are rewriting the story of economic empowerment in northern Ghana. With renewed hope and strengthened capacity, these ventures are poised to scale up, create jobs, and drive sustainable development across the region.