GEA CEO Margaret Ansei hails MTN SME Boost for Ghana’s 24-hour economy

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Ms. Margaret Ansei, has hailed the newly launched MTN SME Accelerate Programme as a strategic game-changer for Ghana’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), describing it as a timely intervention that aligns with the national push for a 24-hour economy.

Speaking at the official launch of the programme on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Ms. Ansei said the initiative resonates strongly with GEA’s mission to build a resilient, digitally empowered, and globally competitive MSME sector.

“The theme, ‘Business Done Smarter, Faster, and Better’, could not be more appropriate,” she said. “In today’s fast-evolving world, the future belongs to those who can embrace change, leverage technology, and drive smart solutions to sustain their businesses.”

She outlined key initiatives GEA has rolled out to boost digital transformation in the MSME sector, including the SME Innovation and Inclusion Programme – Digitalize for Jobs (D4J), a collaboration with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the U-Spark Project under the UNIDO KAIZEN Expansion Initiative supported by the Government of Japan.

“These interventions are not just about access to finance,” Ms. Ansei emphasized. “They are about building an ecosystem of innovation where MSMEs — from rural seamstresses to youth-led agro-processors — can thrive in the digital age.”

Linking the programme to the broader national development agenda, Ms. Ansei said the MTN SME Accelerate Programme fits squarely into former President John Dramani Mahama’s visionary policy of a 24-hour economy.

“President Mahama’s 24-hour economy is not just about extending business hours — it’s about reimagining productivity, creating jobs, and building businesses that run around the clock,” she noted. “To do this, MSMEs need digital tools, infrastructure, and strategic partnerships like this one with MTN.”

She praised MTN Ghana for going beyond telecommunications to become a “technology enabler” and urged Ghanaian entrepreneurs to take advantage of the platform to accelerate growth and reach global markets.

Following the launch, MTN Ghana also took to social media, reaffirming its commitment to small businesses: “Today marks the beginning of brighter things to come for small businesses. SME Accelerate is designed to position SMEs to work smarter, faster and better with lots of opportunities to move ahead in business. Get ready to accelerate!”

Ms. Ansei concluded her speech with a strong call to action: “When MSMEs rise, Ghana rises. And with a 24-hour economy in sight, the sky is not the limit — it is only the beginning.”

The MTN SME Accelerate Programme is expected to empower thousands of MSMEs across the country with digital tools, business support, and training aimed at improving productivity and market access.

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