ACP-DIGI project empowers over 1000 SMEs with Digital Skills

The ACP-DIGI Project, designed to drive digitalisation among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), has successfully educated and equipped over one thousand participants.

Lead Consultant and CEO-Suku Technologies Limited, Tsonam Akpeloo, highlighted the project’s role in addressing challenges faced by SMEs.

He recalled tough business situations during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasising the need for digital tools to facilitate business continuity.

Mr. Akpeloo also emphasised that the project, which spanned regions across Ghana, focused on empowering participants – primarily artisans and small businesses with about 1,015 employees by providing them with essential digital tools.

“So, you will recall that in the wake of COVID-19 most of our businesses were home; because they were unable to transfer business because of the lockdown. They do not have the capacity to do business digitally. So, as a result, this project was developed to tackle digitalisation among SMEs in the country.

“Over 60 percent of all the participants were women. We travelled around the regions of Ghana to empower them, equip them with the digital tools they need to promote their business – which includes digital payments. So, they were able to pay using demand cards and mobile money, and also social media, focusing on using social media and other e-commerce platforms to promote their business – not only locally but also internationally,” he said.

The ACP-DIGI project focuses on enhancing digital capabilities in health, education and small businesses to cope with current and future challenges.

Implemented by Expertise France, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) and SUKU Technologies, the project has positively impacted over 800 small businesses; fostering resilience in a dynamic business environment.

During the closing ceremony, both organisers and participants had opportunity to reflect, share impact stories, celebrate achievements and discuss future steps to empower Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Ghana.

Gracing the programme was Minister of Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, who applauded organisers for their tremendous work. He urged beneficiaries to utilise the digital transformative plans learnt for development.

“This particular training programme is a shot in the arm for MSMEs to go out there and excel. And I want to repeat my gratitude to the collaborating agency for making this investment in over a thousand MSMEs across the country.

“To beneficiaries of the MSMEs programme, you have to utilise it, take the lessons and return to business as usual afterward. You need to really turn the page, shift to this new paradigm and utilise the digital transformative plans you have drawn up for your businesses,” he noted.

The ACP-DIGI Project’s journey began with a discussion between Expertise France and the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, about how to support MSMES in managing the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses. This conversation led to the signing of an MOU.

Following this, a consultant – Suku Technologies Limited – was selected through a competitive process to conduct a needs assessment among GNCCI members and create a concept note. The findings formed the basis for conceptualization of the ACP-DlGI Project in Ghana.

The concept’s primary objective was to enable businesses integrate digital technology into their operations so as to ensure continuity and resilience. An agreement was signed between GNCCI and EF to execute the project in February 2022.

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