MTN Empowers SME Growth With Business Clinic Initiative

MTN Ghana has organised a business capacity-building forum dubbed the “SME Business Clinic” for entrepreneurs and small business operators in Koforidua in the Eastern Region as part of efforts to support business growth and digital transformation in Ghana.

The initiative brought together about 150 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who were taken through training in financial management, bookkeeping, digital tools and emerging business technologies aimed at improving their operations and competitiveness.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Mohammed Abubakari-Sidik, Head of SME Sales at MTN Ghana, said the company recognised the critical role SMEs play in Ghana’s socio-economic development and had therefore developed targeted programmes and solutions to help them thrive.

According to him, research had shown that although many SMEs contribute significantly to the economy and continue to demonstrate resilience, most of them still face major gaps, particularly in technology adoption and business transformation.

“We have identified the business segment as very important to Ghana’s socio-economic development, and we have crafted several solutions and programmes for SMEs,” he said.

He explained that the Koforidua edition was the first SME Business Clinic to be held in the Eastern Region, adding that similar programmes had already been organised in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions this year.

“This is the third region we are doing this year, and we still have three more regions to go. It tells you the importance we attach to SMEs,” he stated.

Mr Abubakari-Sidik noted that the clinic was designed to bridge knowledge and technology gaps confronting SMEs by exposing participants to practical business management skills and digital solutions that could enhance their operations.

He said participants were taken through bookkeeping practices and other value-adding business modules to strengthen their capacity for growth.

“As part of our support, we are introducing SMEs to various digital tools and connectivity solutions that can transform their businesses,” he added.

He highlighted MTN’s “Yellow Biz” solution as one of the company’s flagship offerings for SMEs, explaining that it provides internet connectivity and digital support services for businesses.

According to him, the solution includes web hosting services that allow SMEs to create websites to improve their visibility and expand their market reach beyond Ghana.

He further noted that many SMEs still rely on generic email addresses, which affects their professional branding and credibility when seeking partnerships or investment opportunities.

“We are helping them create customised business emails that reflect their businesses. This improves professionalism and creates confidence among customers and potential investors,” he explained.

Mr Abubakari-Sidik also introduced another MTN business solution known as “Business Eye,” a camera monitoring system that enables business owners to remotely monitor activities at their workplaces through digital connectivity.

He said the innovation was particularly useful for business owners who manage multiple ventures or are unable to remain physically present at their shops or offices throughout the day.

“The Business Eye allows SME owners to monitor and supervise their businesses remotely, even when they are away,” he said.

Some participants who shared their experiences after the training commended MTN Ghana and its partners for the initiative, describing the programme as insightful and practical. They said the training had deepened their understanding of business operations and digital management, adding that the knowledge acquired would help them strategize effectively for growth and sustainability.

Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo