MTN Ghana has empowered 120 entrepreneurs in the Ashanti Region through its SME Business Clinic held in Kumasi, offering participants a blend of digital, financial, and managerial skills to enhance the growth and sustainability of their businesses.
The clinic formed part of MTN’s flagship SME Accelerate Programme, an initiative designed to build the capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises while strengthening their role in Ghana’s economic development. Participants were drawn from various sectors, including tailoring and dressmaking associations, trade groups, and sole proprietors operating in Kumasi and beyond.
In his remarks, Senior Manager for SME Sales at MTN Ghana, Mr. Abubakari Sidick, said the Business Clinic was created as a space to diagnose and provide solutions to challenges facing SMEs in the country. He explained that many small businesses struggle with access to finance, insurance, and stock protection, issues which the clinic directly addresses. According to him, this was the fourth SME Clinic organized in Kumasi, underlining MTN’s long-term commitment to nurturing entrepreneurs.
“The programme is called a clinic because every SME comes with unique challenges that require tailored solutions. Our goal is to provide them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to compete effectively in today’s business environment,” Mr. Sidick stated. He emphasized that SMEs are key to Ghana’s economic transformation and deserve continuous support.
The clinic also showcased MTN’s suite of digital solutions specifically developed for businesses. These included communication packages in voice, data, and SMS, as well as business management platforms designed to streamline operations and improve customer engagement. Participants were guided on how to integrate these tools into their enterprises to drive efficiency and growth.
A highlight of the event was MTN’s collaboration with Sanlam Allianz, one of the world’s leading financial services and insurance providers. Head of Business Development and Distribution (Corporate and Commercial) at Sanlam Allianz, Ernestina Nana Adwoa Oyelaran, reaffirmed her organization’s commitment to supporting Ghanaian entrepreneurs through the partnership. She explained that SMEs are constantly exposed to risks that can erode their investments, stressing the need for them to secure their businesses.
“SMEs are the backbone of every economy. They put in their money, energy, and resources to keep their businesses alive. It is therefore important that we support them to grow and protect their efforts through insurance and financial solutions. That is why this partnership with MTN is so crucial,” she said.
For many of the entrepreneurs present, the training was a life-changing experience. Some participants shared that the clinic had transformed their understanding of how to manage their businesses, particularly in areas of record-keeping, financial planning, and customer engagement. One entrepreneur remarked that the programme had revealed the true value of small businesses, noting that “the size of a business does not determine its importance.”
The SME Business Clinic also provided an avenue for businesses to showcase their products and services to a broader audience, creating opportunities for networking and collaboration. Exhibitors were able to engage potential clients, form partnerships, and exchange ideas with fellow entrepreneurs, while also gaining practical knowledge from the capacity-building sessions.
As part of the ongoing SME Month initiative, the Kumasi clinic was not only a platform for training but also a catalyst for long-term growth, offering SMEs access to digital tools, insurance packages, and professional mentorship. The initiative reflects MTN’s broader strategy of empowering local businesses to adapt to the demands of a digital economy.
With this latest clinic, MTN Ghana has once again demonstrated its determination to strengthen the backbone of Ghana’s economy by equipping small and medium-sized businesses with the digital and financial skills they need to thrive.
