MTN Ghana, in collaboration with The Academic Woman Foundation (TAW), has taken a bold step toward advancing women’s entrepreneurship by unveiling innovative Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) solutions at the 2025 She Builds Conference. The event, held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre, brought together influential women leaders, professionals, policymakers, and advocates from diverse sectors to chart pathways for empowerment, leadership, and digital inclusion.
Spotlighting Women in Business
Speaking on a panel of thought leaders, Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Ghana, stressed the vital role women play in the nation’s economic development. She noted that while about 80% of informal businesses in Ghana are female-led, women entrepreneurs continue to face structural barriers that limit their growth.
“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,” Ms. Mensah-Poku said.
She identified digital identity as one of the biggest hurdles, explaining that many women still have their mobile numbers registered under their husbands’ names. This practice, she cautioned, denies them full access to mobile money, banking services, and other digital resources.
“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 emphasized.
Unveiling SME Solutions for Women
To bridge these gaps, MTN Ghana introduced a range of tailored SME solutions designed to empower women entrepreneurs. At the heart of these offerings is the MTN Adwumapa Bundle, a comprehensive package that combines affordable voice, data, SMS, and lifestyle services. Accessible via *5060#, the bundle seeks to keep women entrepreneurs connected, strengthen their brand visibility, and support sustainable business growth.
In addition, MTN Ghana showcased other solutions, including Y’ello Biz and Webwiz, reinforcing its commitment to equipping women-led businesses with the digital tools needed to thrive in a competitive economy.
Ms. Mensah-Poku called for mentorship, digital training, and strategic support to help women scale their ventures beyond survival mode into long-term, impactful enterprises—moving from “good to great to greatest.”
Government Endorsement and Inspiration
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, praised Ghana’s steady progress in women’s empowerment. She highlighted the growing presence of women in Parliament, the judiciary, corporate boardrooms, agriculture, technology, the creative arts, and entrepreneurship.
She also celebrated the historic achievement of Ghana’s first female Vice President, Professor Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, describing her leadership as a powerful inspiration for young girls across the nation.
“Today, women are making their mark in Parliament, the judiciary, corporate boardrooms, agriculture, technology, the creative arts, and entrepreneurship. 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,” Dr. Lartey said.
A Platform for Change
The She Builds Conference, held 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?”, served not only as a celebration of women’s achievements but also as a rallying call for stronger representation, inclusion, and sustainable leadership.
Through MTN Ghana’s digital innovations and government’s policy direction, the conference underscored the urgent need to break barriers that prevent women from accessing funding, mentorship, and digital tools—critical resources for building resilient and competitive businesses.
With its renewed commitment to women entrepreneurs, MTN Ghana signaled a clear message: empowering women through connectivity and technology is key to driving inclusive economic growth in Ghana.
