The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) in collaboration with Expertise France has trained 1071 small and medium businesses leaders in various digital transformation skills and tools.

This represents approximately 898 businesses across eight regions of the country with women-led business accounting for over 60% of the total participants.

The project which is dubbed ACI DIGI was created with the primary objective of enabling businesses to integrate digital technology into their operations to ensure continuity and resilience.

The move became imperative after many small businesses collapsed at the peak of the covid-19 pandemic during the lock-down and restriction period. Hence the need to adopt digital means to ensure continuity.

Chief Executive of Suku Technologies and lead consultant of the project, Tsonam Akpeloo explained that the initiative build the capacity of local businesses to compete in global trade.

“It is our expectation that with technology as the backbone, many of these businesses will begin to pluck the benefits and opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”

On her part, project Manager at Expertise France, Emilie Griffiths, said the project will guarantee the socio-economic growth of the country.

“We have recognised the crucial role played by the small and medium enterprises, understanding that their resilience and adaptability fuel the engine of economic growth. Our goal is fortify private sector activities through digital innovation."

President of GNCCI, Clement Osei-Amoako, explained the impact of the project.

“With an unwavering focus of the betterment of businesses, the project elevated the performance of businesses by equipping them with the needed digital tools and knowledge necessary for success in a rapidly evolving landscape.”

Participants were taken through the rudiments of digital business analysis and project management, digital design and data visualization, digital marketing, social media management, cyber security and other relevant areas.

The ACI DIGI project was funded by the European Union with technical support from Suku Technolgies Ltd and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).