Ghana’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) took centre stage at the MTN SME Ghana Awards (SMEGA) 2024, where innovation, resilience, and business excellence were celebrated in grand style.
The event, held on October 30, 2025, in Accra brought together government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and innovators to honour the remarkable contributions of SMEs to Ghana’s economic transformation.
Organised in partnership with MTN Ghana, Fidelity Bank, and StarLife Assurance, the ceremony recognised the vital role of entrepreneurs in driving growth, creating jobs, and promoting inclusive development.
Empowering Ghanaian businesses through commitment
In a video message, Steven Blewett, CEO of MTN Ghana, reaffirmed MTN’s dedication to the SME sector, emphasizing that the partnership with SMEGA reflects more than sponsorship.
“Our partnership with the SME Ghana Awards goes beyond sponsorship,” he said. “It’s a commitment — a commitment to empower, to connect, and to help Ghanaian businesses thrive in an increasingly digital and globally competitive market.”
Blewett noted that MTN’s interventions, including digital business solutions, MoMo for Business, and SME capacity-building initiatives, are designed to help entrepreneurs scale and compete both locally and internationally.
Beyond Recognition — Building Sustainable Enterprises
Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Ghana, highlighted the importance of the awards in rewarding excellence while offering tangible support to entrepreneurs.
“SMEGA 2024 is a great opportunity for SMEs — not only to be recognised but to be rewarded with tangible support,” she said. “Winners go home with a fully funded life insurance package from StarLife, access to loans from Fidelity Bank, and a range of digital business services from MTN. The overall winner also receives a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a business development training programme in India.”
She added that MTN’s support extends beyond the awards night, ensuring that SMEs receive mentorship and growth support throughout the year.
“Once this is over, we don’t leave them. We hold their hand until next year. Our commitment is to ensure that no business is left behind — whether they are MTN customers or not,” she said.
Mensah-Poku further revealed that all nominees would have access to training opportunities in collaboration with Nova Business School and ABSA, equipping them with the skills to scale their businesses sustainably.
India Reaffirms Support for SME Development
The Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. Manish Gupta, commended the initiative, describing SMEs as the heartbeat of national development.
“This evening celebrates the innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of Ghanaians,” he remarked. “SMEs are the engines of sustainable growth and global competitiveness. India and Ghana share this belief and stand ready to collaborate in technology, renewable energy, and digital transformation to empower entrepreneurs.”
He outlined India’s ongoing development cooperation with Ghana, including scholarship programmes, capacity building, and digital integration initiatives, noting that both countries are committed to promoting inclusive prosperity.
“Our approach is not just to invest, but to empower. As co-travellers in Ghana’s development journey, we believe progress must come through partnership, innovation, and mutual trust,” he added.
Building Bridges for Growth
Kwesi Ofori Jnr, Team Lead for SMEGA, expressed gratitude to MTN Ghana and all partners for their continued commitment to building a stronger SME ecosystem.
“Through our partnership with MTN, we trained over 667 businesses across four regions this year,” he said. “We’re also facilitating international exchanges, with Ghanaian SMEs travelling to India and China for training and market access. Real progress comes through collaboration between government, the private sector, and entrepreneurs.”
He added that all nominees are winners in their own right, and SMEGA’s mission is to provide continuous support, funding opportunities, and exposure to international markets.
“Our vision is to move Ghanaian SMEs beyond local recognition to global relevance,” he affirmed.
Celebrating Excellence and Impact
The 2024 edition recognised 21 outstanding winners across multiple categories, reflecting excellence across agribusiness, technology, services, manufacturing, and trade.
Yesli Ice emerged as the Overall Best SME of the Year, earning top honours for its innovation and growth in the food and beverage sector.
Other winners included:
Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics: Sincheshea
Textile, Clothing, and Garment: Akaal Skills Development
Food Processing: B-Diet Limited
Food and Beverage: Yesli Ice
Construction and Building Materials: Saan One One Company Ltd
Rising Star: Haps Global Logistics
Business Potential Discovery (Micro Entrepreneur): Evergreen Blessed Ltd
Agribusiness (Crop Production): Lexvee Agro Processing
Agribusiness (Agro Processing): Queen GAF Enterprise
Agribusiness (Agro Commodity Trade): Minana Services
Service (Education): Akaal Skills Development Academy
Production Innovation: Yesli Ice
Tech Adoption: Sincheshea
SME Export Excellence: Queen GAF Enterprise
SME Leaders Excellence: Charles of B-Diet
SME Woman Entrepreneur: Rita of Yesli Ice
Special Recognition Awards were also presented to James Ebo Whyte (SME Industry Shaper), Joyce Ababio (Long Service), and Connect 97.1 FM (Media Reportage).
The SMEGA Awards continue to evolve as more than a platform for recognition — it’s a movement to strengthen Ghana’s SME ecosystem through innovation, digital transformation, and collaboration.
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