In a vibrant display of entrepreneurial spirit, MTN Ghana has made a significant stride in supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) through its SME Fair initiative, connecting businesses to a wider market and boosting their growth to fuel the economic potential of the sector.
It targets more than 100 businesses from diverse industries such as agriculture, food processing, fashion, and beauty who seized the opportunity to exhibit their products and services, prospect for potential clients and network to maximise profits.
The SME Fair is a cornerstone of MTN Ghana’s 2024 SME Month initiative, themed “Business Done Smarter, Faster, and Better.” This initiative is designed to empower small enterprises by providing them with the technological tools and resources needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.
Head of SME at MTN Ghana, Mohammed Abubakari-Sadick, indicated that considering the contributions of the SME sector to the country’s GPD and employment his outfit “feel the need to partner SME to give them the technological impetus, solution so that we will be able to thrive.”
Capacity building
MTN Ghana also identified a key gap in the sector thus capacity building. As such, it organised a two-day training session at MTN House in Accra, focusing on technology, digital skills, insurance, and access to funding.
Partnering with banks, the initiative also included training in bookkeeping, providing SMEs with a comprehensive skill set to enhance their operations.
This focus on capacity building was not a one-time effort, Mr. Abubakari-Sadick noted adding that by equipping SMEs with these essential skills, MTN Ghana aims to foster an environment where small businesses can grow and prosper.
For her part, the Chief Enterprise Officer, Angela Mensah Poku, stated that throughout the SME month, businesses will have the opportunity to digitise their business, collaborate with partners of MTN and the SME ecosystem to advance initiatives like capability-building, e-bookkeeping and digital marketing.
Digital transformation and market expansion
A key highlight of the SME Fair was the emphasis on digital transformation especially in today’s business landscape, where adopting digital solutions is crucial for growth.
MTN Ghana has developed several digital tools tailored for SMEs, including mobile advertising solutions that target specific potential customers within a business’s catchment area. This tool helps SMEs build their customer base and increase their market reach.
Additionally, MTN’s SME Plus offers a low-cost mobile, voice, and digital solution, enabling businesses to access essential services affordably.
“For any business to grow exponentially, you have to adopt digital solutions. MTN provides various tools to help SMEs reach their full potential,” Mr. Abubakari-Sadick stated, highlighting the importance of these digital solutions.
Cybersecurity
While celebrating the advancements brought by digital solutions, MTN Ghana is also mindful of the challenges SMEs face, particularly regarding cybersecurity.
At the launch of the Fair, Seth Twum-Akwaboah, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), urged MTN to take strict precautions against cyber-attacks, highlighting that fraudulent activities in the cyberspace remain a significant barrier for SMEs in adopting digital payment platforms.
In response, MTN Ghana aims to provide a reliable and secure digital environment for SMEs to operate.
National reach
The success of the Accra SME Fair is set to be replicated in other regions as MTN Ghana plans to hold a similar fair in Kumasi from July 24th to 26th, ensuring that SMEs across the country can benefit from this initiative. The fair in Kumasi aims to provide the same opportunities for showcasing products, networking, and accessing digital solutions.
Throughout the SME Month, MTN Ghana has also organised an innovation conference in Accra, capacity training sessions, and women in business workshops. These events are designed to create a robust support system for SMEs, helping them navigate challenges and seize opportunities for growth.
