Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) serve as the mainstay of Africa’s economic growth and job creation.
Accounting for approximately 90% of all businesses across the continent, the sector provides about 80% of employment, underscoring its vital role.
Nevertheless, MSMEs often fall short of their potential, plagued by high failure rates, indiscipline, and lack of structured support.
The continent is yet to fully reap the benefits of a sector that could anchor inclusive economic transformation.
The 2024 Integrated Business Establishment Survey, recently published in this paper revealed striking data: Ghana’s businesses have grown from 640,000 in 2014 to 1.87 million in 2024. That’s nearly three times as many.
And yet, 92% of these businesses operate informally with little chance of scaling, creating jobs, or building generational wealth. The need for structured, hands-on support for businesses is clear.
The Business Academy for Women and Young People (BAWYP) has officially launched, to bridge these gaps, and to fight poverty one entrepreneur at a time.
The launch marks a new era of inclusive support to entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs for economic empowerment across Africa.
Through a tailored mix of targeted interventions in inclusive finance, skills development, and business incubation, the organization empowers women, young people and the physically challenged to launch and to grow resilient enterprises that uplift households, communities, and local economies.
“Our mission is to make inclusive entrepreneurship not just a dream, but a reality,” said Amma Adjeiwaa Antwi (Mrs), Founder and MSME and Inclusive Finance Expert. “The vision is to build a sustainable micro and small business sector and to fight poverty, one entrepreneur at a time.”
Mrs. Antwi brings over a decade of experience in supporting businesses through tailored inclusive finance, business coaching, and practical learning.
Her voluntary work has positively impacted businesses across various sectors including trade, manufacturing, food and agriculture, beauty and fashion, and waste management & recycling.
BAWYP envisions transforming potential into prosperity by breaking the cycle of youth unemployment, economic exclusion of the physically challenged, and the persistent poverty affecting communities across Africa.
Interventions will break down barriers that have long held back underrepresented entrepreneurs across the continent. Whether it’s a young artisan in a rural town, or a woman-led startup in an urban community, we believe every business deserves the opportunity to grow and be profitable.
Our biggest measure of success, as an institution will not be the size of our budget or the value of our projects. Our greatest KPI will be the number of real lives changed.
The women, physically challenged, and young people who move from struggle to stability, from idea to income and from poverty to promise. – Mrs Amma Antwi
We’re excited about what lies ahead and invite development partners, corporate institutions, and community leaders to join us in building a resilient and inclusive economic future for Africa.
For more information, partnership opportunities, or media inquiries, please contact:
🌍 www.bawyp.org
📱 Phone/WhatsApp: +233 550 333 021
