MTN Ghana has strengthened its drive to empower women entrepreneurs 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.
Organized in partnership with The Academic Woman Foundation (TAW), the high-profile event gathered influential women leaders, professionals, policymakers, and advocates to explore strategies for entrepreneurship, leadership development, and digital inclusion.
Women at the Heart of Ghana’s Economy
Taking part in a panel discussion, Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Ghana, underscored the vital role women play in Ghana’s socio-economic progress. She revealed that approximately 80% of informal businesses in the country are run by women, yet these entrepreneurs continue to face hurdles that limit their full potential.
“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.
She further pointed out the persistent challenge of digital identity, explaining that many women still have their mobile numbers registered under their husbands’ names—an issue that restricts access to mobile money, banking services, and wider digital opportunities.
“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.
Innovative SME Solutions for Women
In response to these challenges, MTN Ghana showcased a suite of practical digital products designed to support women-led enterprises. At the center of these offerings is the MTN Adwumapa Bundle, a tailor-made SME package that provides affordable voice, data, SMS, and lifestyle services.
Easily accessible via *5060#, the bundle aims to help women entrepreneurs remain connected, enhance their brand visibility, and build sustainable businesses.
In addition, MTN Ghana presented other solutions such as Y’ello Biz and Webwiz, both of which are designed to help small businesses embrace digital tools, expand their reach, and stay competitive in a fast-changing marketplace.
Ms. Mensah-Poku also stressed the need for targeted mentorship and capacity building for women entrepreneurs, urging stakeholders to provide practical support that enables businesses to grow from “good to great to greatest.”
Government’s Call for Inclusion
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, commended MTN Ghana and TAW for creating a platform that champions women’s empowerment.
She highlighted Ghana’s growing success stories of women in Parliament, the judiciary, corporate boardrooms, agriculture, technology, the creative arts, and entrepreneurship.
In a special moment, Dr. Lartey celebrated the historic milestone of Ghana’s first female Vice President, Professor Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, describing her achievement as an enduring symbol of hope and possibility for young girls.
“Today, women are making their mark across every sector of national life. Above all, we are proud to celebrate Ghana’s first female Vice President, whose achievement serves as a beacon of hope for girls across the country,” she said.
Shaping the Future of Women’s Entrepreneurship
The She Builds Conference 2025, themed “Women in Entrepreneurship, Law, Built Environment and Engineering: Where Are We Now, Where Are We Going, and What Do We Need to Do?”, served as both a celebration of women’s contributions and a platform to address persisting challenges.
The discussions reinforced the urgent need to break barriers to funding, mentorship, and digital access—elements essential for scaling women-led businesses into resilient and competitive enterprises.
By introducing innovative SME solutions such as the Adwumapa Bundle, MTN Ghana has sent a strong message: supporting women in business through connectivity and technology is central to building an inclusive and prosperous economy for all.
