By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY, Takoradi
MTN Ghana has boosted its initiatives to enhance the capabilities of small and medium businesses via its main SME Accelerate Program by launching an SME Business Clinic.
The Small and Medium Enterprise Business Clinic highlights MTN’s enduring commitment to enabling SMEs to utilize technology and financial resources to grow into internationally formidable businesses.
The initiative, themed
‘Establishing your company for expansion’,
gathered more than 150 attendees such as individuals from the Dressmakers and Tailoring Associations, business organizations, independent owners, and various enterprise leaders during a two-day workshop held in Takoradi.
As stated by Mohammed Abubakari-Sidick, Senior Manager of SME Sales at MTN, the initiative aims to strengthen capabilities for small and medium enterprises in key sectors like financial access, accounting practices, and utilizing digital technologies to drive expansion.
“Many small and medium enterprises are not utilizing digital technologies to expand their operations. For any SME in this nation to reach its full potential, there needs to be an embrace of digital solutions and change. This is what the clinic aims to achieve,” he said.
To date, the SME Business Clinic has taken place in Kumasi, Tamale, and Accra, uniting business owners to gain knowledge, exchange insights, and discover digital tools that can enhance their productivity.
The initiative is included in MTN’s larger SME Accelerate strategy, designed to promote innovation, market strength, and long-term viability among small and medium enterprises.
He mentioned that MTN has collaborated with entities like SMEGA and Sanlam Alliance to guarantee the program’s ongoing support and long-term viability. Following the training, SMEGA works with enrolled businesses via organized initiatives designed to ready them for prospects in both domestic and global markets.
“We do not conclude the program at this point. We collect participants’ contact information to track progress, and individuals who effectively implement what they have learned receive further support and opportunities,” said Mr. Abubakari-Sidick.
Regarding availability of financing, he explained that MTN does not offer direct capital to small and medium enterprises. Nevertheless, via training programs, SMEs receive assistance in crafting viable business proposals, enabling them to qualify for funds from banking organizations. Additionally, MTN’s Mobile Money service offers six distinct lending options, such as instant loans, to aid SME activities.
An individual named Emmanuel Anaman, who produces sachet water, explained how the program has influenced his perspective on expanding his business.
Through this program, I’ve gained knowledge on how to conduct myself while interacting with clients and how to handle difficulties. I also became aware of initiatives such as MTN Yellow Biz, which offers services that can assist small enterprises in building websites and expanding their reach.
“This fills me with optimism that regardless of whether a business is large or small, it has the potential to expand and remain viable with proper assistance,” he stated.
Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
