Head of the Agribusiness Desk at Absa Bank Ghana, William Nettey, has reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through strategic partnerships aimed at building their capacity and expanding their impact.
Speaking during the launch of the MTN SME Accelerate Mini MBA Programme in Accra, Mr. Nettey said Absa’s involvement in the initiative is a continuation of its long-standing support for the SME sector.
“We’ve always believed in the potential of SMEs to drive economic growth,” he stated. “Through our SME clinics and tailored products like the SME loan at 10% interest, we’ve consistently supported businesses to thrive. But in today’s knowledge-driven economy, we recognize the need to go beyond financing—SMEs must build their knowledge base and systems to scale sustainably.”
Mr. Nettey mentioned that Absa views its collaboration with MTN Ghana and Nova Business School as a well-timed initiative to support SMEs in becoming sustainable and globally competitive businesses.
He noted that Nova’s experienced faculty and MTN’s support systems, combined with Absa’s financial expertise, provide a powerful platform for SMEs to build resilience and expand their reach.
“About 80% of Ghana’s economy is driven by SMEs,” he noted. “If we truly want to grow our economy, then we need to empower these businesses to scale, export, and bring in foreign currency to strengthen our reserves.”
Mr. Nettey emphasized that the initiative also directly addresses the issue of unemployment. By building stronger SMEs, he said, the country can generate sustainable jobs with fair wages and benefits for the youth.
He also emphasized Absa’s dedication to supporting women entrepreneurs, noting that 20 participants in the program were chosen from the bank’s “She Business” model, which focuses on female-led businesses.
“As a bank, we want to help our SMEs write their success stories and ensure those stories are heard,” he said. “We urge the media to help share these journeys and encourage other entrepreneurs to join the movement.”
Mr. Nettey concluded with a call to action: “We want to see businesses that last—businesses that grow beyond their founders and continue to create value and opportunity for years to come. That’s the future we are working towards.”
Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo
