MTN Ghana has intensified efforts to support the growth and digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana with the organisation of an SME Business Clinic in Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
The forum, which brought together about 150 SME operators, forms part of MTN Ghana’s nationwide initiative aimed at equipping businesses with practical skills, digital tools, and technological solutions to improve competitiveness, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
The programme focused on areas including bookkeeping, financial management, product packaging and labelling, digital visibility, customer engagement, and the use of emerging technologies to scale businesses.
Speaking during the event, Head of SME Sales at MTN Ghana, Mohammed Abubakari-Sidik, said the telecommunications company recognised the critical role SMEs play in Ghana’s economic development and had therefore developed tailored interventions to support their growth.
In the socio-economic development of Ghana, we in MTN have identified a segment of businesses and crafted a lot of solutions and programmes for them,” he said.
He explained that the SME Business Clinic is part of a broader regional outreach programme being rolled out across six regions in 2026. According to him, the Volta and Ashanti regions have already hosted similar clinics, with the Eastern Region becoming the third beneficiary this year.
“So far we’ve done Volta and Ashanti regions, and this is the third one we are doing for the Eastern Region. We have three more to go this year. It tells you the importance of this programme,” he noted.
Abubakari-Sidik said MTN decided to organise the clinics after identifying significant technological and operational gaps affecting many SMEs despite their strong contributions to the economy.
Research has shown that a lot of these SMEs, though they are doing very well in terms of business contribution and resilience, still have technological gaps that affect their ability to transform their businesses,” he stated.
According to him, many small businesses struggle with digital adoption, branding, online visibility, and modern management systems, limiting their ability to compete in increasingly technology-driven markets.
To bridge those gaps, he said MTN Ghana was providing both training and practical digital solutions designed specifically for SMEs.
We are going to take them through bookkeeping. We are also taking them through packaging and labelling of their products in order to add value to the good things they are already doing,” he explained.
One of the major solutions highlighted during the clinic was MTN’s YellowBiz platform, which offers internet connectivity, website development, customised email domains, and productivity tools for businesses.
Abubakari-Sidik explained that the YellowBiz router enables SMEs to access reliable 4G internet connectivity, helping them stay connected with customers and business partners.
When an SME acquires the YellowBiz router, it gives the business connectivity. Quickly, they are able to connect to customers and conduct business because they have internet access,” he said.
He added that the package also includes website creation services to improve the global visibility of Ghanaian businesses.
This website gives businesses visibility across the globe. Anyone outside Ghana can access the website and know the good work that SMEs are doing in Ghana,” he stressed.
The MTN official further noted that many SMEs still rely on generic email accounts, which often undermine their professional image and credibility when dealing with clients and potential investors.
Why don’t we support them to create email addresses that depict the names of their businesses? That is what YellowBiz does,” he said.
According to him, customised business email domains and Microsoft 365 services included in the package help businesses project professionalism, improve trust, and even attract investment opportunities.
There are people outside Ghana who want to invest and support these businesses, but the absence of some of these systems is what militates against SMEs,” he stated.
Abubakari-Sidik also introduced participants to another MTN solution known as “Business Eye,” a remote monitoring system that enables entrepreneurs to supervise their businesses from anywhere through camera technology.
“The Business Eye is a camera solution which allows business owners to remotely connect and watch what is happening within their businesses,” he explained.
He said the technology is particularly beneficial for traders and entrepreneurs who manage multiple operations and cannot remain physically present at one location throughout the day.
The MTN executive also highlighted the company’s “Adwumapa” initiative, a specially designed package targeted at women entrepreneurs.
About 51 to 52 percent of SMEs in Ghana are run by women. It tells you how resilient women are,” he said.
Under the Adwumapa package, women entrepreneurs receive affordable voice, data, and SMS bundles, as well as insurance coverage and access to healthcare support services.
He explained that the package includes a “doctor-on-call” feature, enabling women business owners to consult medical professionals remotely without leaving their workplaces.
Most of these women do not have time because they are committed to their businesses. Through the doctor-on-call service, they can speak to a medical doctor who can diagnose them online and refer them to a nearby hospital if necessary,” he said.
Abubakari-Sidik disclosed that over 102,000 SMEs across the country have so far accessed MTN’s SME-focused solutions, while approximately 31,000 women entrepreneurs are benefiting from the Adwumapa initiative.
He said MTN Ghana remained committed to empowering SMEs because they form the backbone of Ghana’s economy and play a crucial role in employment creation and economic growth.
We are pleased to build the capacities of small businesses, which are the strong pillars of the economy, so they can compete wherever they find themselves,” he added.
Some participants at the clinic commended MTN Ghana and its partners for the initiative, describing the training sessions as insightful and practical.
They said the combination of theoretical lessons and practical demonstrations had deepened their understanding of business operations and digital transformation strategies.
According to participants, the programme would help them improve customer engagement, strengthen financial management, enhance branding, and position their businesses for expansion in both local and international markets.
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