Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) took the spotlight on Friday, June 27, as government, development partners and private sector leaders converged at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra to mark MTN World MSME Day 2025.

Organised under the theme “Empowering MSMEs, Connecting Entrepreneurs for a Digital and Sustainable Future,” the national celebration was spearheaded by the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) with strong support from MTN Ghana and other institutional partners.

Welcoming participants to the event, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprise Agency, Margaret Ansei, described the day not merely as ceremonial, but as a bold reaffirmation of Ghana’s commitment to transforming its MSME sector.

She noted that over 92 per cent of all registered businesses in Ghana are micro and small enterprises, contributing 70 per cent to GDP and 85 per cent of manufacturing jobs.

“MSMEs are not just data points—they are the spirit of Ghanaian resilience, innovation, and enterprise,” Ms Ansei said, adding that the GEA remains committed to building a thriving MSME ecosystem by improving access to finance, reducing business costs, and scaling digital and technical capacity, especially for youth, women, and persons with disabilities.

She also announced the launch of a new digital gateway platform for MSMEs, developed in partnership with the UNDP, to serve as a one-stop digital access point for entrepreneurs.

The event featured high-level stakeholder engagements, a business exhibition, and panel discussions focused on formalisation, investment access, and digital inclusion.

Representing MTN Ghana, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Adwoa Wiafe, said MSMEs were the backbone of Ghana’s economy, yet remained the most overlooked and under-resourced.

“Your businesses may be small, but your impact is immeasurable,” she told the audience, reaffirming MTN’s support through digital solutions like Adwumapa, SME Plus and Yellow Base.

She stated that MTN is also building a $25 million innovation hub aimed at supporting startups and MSMEs with tools and infrastructure.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, announced that the government is rolling out sweeping reforms to address the structural barriers holding MSMEs back.

She said the government is investing in digital skills training, streamlining regulatory procedures, and advancing legislation to improve turnaround times for certification and compliance. Among other plans, she said a dedicated Women’s Bank is in the pipeline to improve access to finance for women entrepreneurs.

“This is the first time government is officially leading the MSME Day celebration, and it’s here to stay,” she said. “By 2027, we aim to digitally onboard 250,000 MSMEs, reduce certification costs by 40%, and build three industrial and agro-ecological parks to provide the infrastructure needed for growth.”

She added that a revised MSME policy is currently being developed with an implementation strategy focused on youth, women, and informal enterprises.

Friday’s event also featured exhibitions, panel discussions, and a business clinic. It brought together development partners including UNDP, the German Development Corporation, the United Nations Capital Development Fund, Stanbic Bank, Mastercard Foundation, the World Bank, and others to share ideas, showcase solutions and recommit to building a more inclusive economy anchored by empowered small businesses.