MTN Ghana, in partnership with The Academic Woman Foundation (TAW), has reaffirmed its dedication to women’s economic empowerment by launching new digital solutions for entrepreneurs at the 2025 She Builds Conference, held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre.
The conference, which brought together a cross-section of influential women leaders, policymakers, professionals, and advocates, focused on exploring opportunities for entrepreneurship, leadership, 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?”
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Addressing Barriers to Growth
During a thought-provoking panel discussion, Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Ghana, shed light on the invaluable role women play in Ghana’s economy while highlighting the persistent challenges they face.
“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 stressed the critical importance of digital identity as a foundation for economic participation. According to her, many women still operate mobile numbers registered in their husbands’ names, which limits their access to essential digital services such as mobile money, banking platforms, and e-commerce tools.
“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 explained.
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MTN Unveils Adwumapa Bundle and Other Solutions
As part of its presentation, MTN Ghana introduced the MTN Adwumapa Bundle, a comprehensive SME package that combines affordable voice, data, SMS, and lifestyle services specifically tailored to support small and medium-sized enterprises.
The bundle, accessible via *5060#, is designed to help women entrepreneurs stay connected, strengthen their market presence, and grow their businesses sustainably.
In addition, MTN Ghana showcased other SME-centric solutions such as Y’ello Biz and Webwiz, reinforcing its mission to bridge the digital divide and empower women entrepreneurs with practical tools to scale their ventures.
Ms. Mensah-Poku urged stakeholders to prioritize mentorship, capacity building, and access to digital tools for women-led businesses, saying these interventions are essential to move enterprises from “good to great to greatest.”
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Government Endorsement
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, commended MTN Ghana and TAW for providing a platform that champions women’s participation in business and leadership.
She celebrated Ghana’s strides in gender empowerment, citing the increasing number of women excelling in Parliament, the judiciary, corporate boardrooms, agriculture, technology, creative arts, and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Lartey further highlighted the historic achievement of Ghana’s first female Vice President, Professor Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, describing her rise as a powerful source of inspiration for young girls nationwide.
“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 generations of girls yet to come,” she said.
Charting a New Path for Women in Business
The She Builds Conference 2025 stood out as both a celebration of women’s milestones and a call to action for greater inclusivity and representation in entrepreneurship and leadership. Discussions emphasized the urgent need to address gaps in access to funding, mentorship, and digital tools—factors critical for scaling women-led businesses.
With the launch of the Adwumapa Bundle and other digital solutions, MTN Ghana demonstrated its long-term commitment to equipping women entrepreneurs with the resources needed to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
The conference ended with a resounding message: empowering women through technology is not only a business priority but also a national imperative for inclusive economic growth.
