The Ghanaian government, through the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry (MOTAI) and the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), is preparing to mark the 2025 International Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Day with a significant national celebration in Accra. Under the theme “Empowering MSMEs, Connecting Entrepreneurs for a Digital and Sustainable Future,” this event is a key part of Ghana’s broader push to support MSMEs by fostering digital transformation, promoting sustainable business development, and enhancing operational efficiencies through technology adoption.
A central focus of the celebration is the promotion of digital tools and technologies, aiming to have at least 70% of participating MSMEs adopt these innovations. The government also plans to connect 200 MSMEs with essential digital infrastructure and mobile banking services, crucial for improving their accessibility to finance and enhancing operational capabilities. Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu Agyare, Minister of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, highlighted the government’s commitment to nurturing an environment where Ghanaian entrepreneurs can innovate, compete on a global scale, and become integral to international supply chains. She called for strong partnerships between development partners, private sector leaders, and financial institutions to create a resilient enterprise ecosystem fostering inclusive growth and sustainable prosperity.
The event will draw over 250 stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, academia, and MSMEs themselves. Activities will feature a high-level policy dialogue, an MSME Clinic, capacity-building programmes, a digital innovation showcase, and a curated exhibition of “Made-in-Ghana” products and services aimed at increasing market visibility and accessibility for local businesses.
From an institutional perspective, GEA’s CEO, Ms Margaret Ansei, emphasized that this celebration underscores the government’s intensified support for MSMEs, particularly their role in driving innovation, job creation, and resilience through digital transformation. Partners such as the United Nations in Ghana—represented by UNCDF, UNCTAD, and UNDP—alongside the European Union, German Development Cooperation, MTN Ghana, and MobileMoney LTD are actively involved. Arianna Gasparri, a UNCDF Technical Specialist in Ghana, noted that the initiative extends beyond funding to building resilient digital ecosystems that attract private sector investment in underserved markets, reinforcing the importance of MSMEs in inclusive growth efforts.
MTN Ghana, a key partner, also expressed its commitment to supporting MSMEs with digital solutions to improve connectivity, operational efficiency, and access to financial services through platforms like Mobile Money. Angela Opoku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer for MTN Ghana, praised the event’s role in bringing together ecosystem players to discuss impactful strategies for MSME growth.
This national celebration is set against a broader backdrop of significant efforts to strengthen Ghana’s digital economy and financial ecosystem. The World Bank’s $200 million Ghana Digital Acceleration Project, for example, aims to enhance broadband access and digital public services, extending internet connectivity to millions and fostering innovation—an initiative that complements the MSME Day’s objectives. Similarly, the Bank of Ghana, through its Ghana Integrated Financial Ecosystem (GIFE) in collaboration with development partners, is mobilising substantial funding aimed at increasing financial access to SMEs via wholly digital platforms, supporting digital literacy, working capital access, and cross-border trading opportunities.
Financial support mechanisms are expanding too. In May 2024, Ghana secured a $200 million facility from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) to support SME financing at reduced interest rates through key national banks, a measure likely to bolster MSME sustainability and growth.
Furthermore, a joint programme funded by the United Nations and the European Union focuses on fostering an inclusive digital ecosystem, particularly for youth and women-led MSMEs—empowering 25,000 enterprises through improved digital skills, enhanced access to capital, and market linkages. This initiative epitomizes the integrated approach Ghana is taking toward digital and sustainable economic development.
Overall, the upcoming International MSME Day celebration in Accra will not only highlight the critical importance of MSMEs to Ghana’s economy but also reinforce a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder commitment to leveraging digital technologies and sustainable practices to empower entrepreneurs. Through collaborative efforts between government, development partners, and the private sector, Ghana aims to build a resilient MSME ecosystem that fosters innovation, inclusion, and competitiveness on both local and global stages.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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