Fifty Ghanaian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have successfully graduated from the inaugural Mini MBA programme, a rigorous, 13-week capacity-building initiative spearheaded by MTN Ghana, in collaboration with Absa Bank Ghana and NOVA Business School Africa.

The programme is a strategic intervention designed to equip Ghana’s entrepreneurial backbone with the advanced skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly competitive digital-first marketplace.

The graduation ceremony in Accra marked a major step toward fulfilling MTN's commitment to accelerating digital readiness and ensuring the SME sector—the largest employer in Ghana—is not left behind in the country’s economic transformation.

The Vision: 'Transformative' Impact of SMEs

Addressing the graduating class, Angela Mensah-Poku, MTN Ghana’s Chief Enterprise Officer, challenged the conventional view of the businesses in the room, asserting that their contributions are anything but "small".

“There is nothing small about the businesses in this room,” she emphasised. “You employ people, generate revenue, and contribute directly to our nation’s growth. Calling you SMEs understates the scale and impact of your work. Your work is transformative.”

The Mini MBA aligns with MTN’s mandate to integrate technology and innovation across the business landscape.

Mensah-Poku commended the entrepreneurs for sacrificing their precious time—often attending weekend sessions both online and in person—to invest in their growth: “You are all leaders. Investing your time and effort into this programme shows true leadership. Congratulations.”

She added, “This is just the beginning of our journey together. We look forward to supporting your growth and celebrating your success in the years ahead.”

Building Capacity in a Digital-First Marketplace

The core curriculum, delivered by NOVA Business School Africa, provided intensive training across critical business functions, including:

• Business Strategy and Growth Planning
• Leadership and Innovation Management
• Digital Transformation and Technology Adoption
• Accounting and Tax Practices
• Finance and Marketing

Mohammed Abubakar Siddiq, Senior Manager for SME Sales at MTN Ghana, highlighted the programme’s strategic depth.

“The programme builds capacity in strategy, innovation management, and technology adoption, giving SMEs the skills to compete and grow in a digital-first marketplace,” he explained.

The 50 graduates were selected based on jointly developed criteria, targeting high-potential businesses across diverse sectors, including manufacturing, retail, agribusiness, logistics, consultancy, and digital services.

Absa’s Financial and Strategic Commitment

Absa Bank Ghana’s participation ensured that the graduates received vital financial knowledge and access to banking solutions.

Georgette Amoako, Propositions Manager at Absa Bank Ghana, underlined the bank’s dedication to empowering entrepreneurs.

“From the start, our shared goal was to help SMEs build stronger foundations through practical learning and strategic thinking,” she said.

The bank’s commitment is supported by tangible data: In the first half of 2025 alone, Absa supported over 1,300 MSMEs across Ghana, with over 50% of the beneficiaries being women-led businesses.

This support includes facilitating access to affordable finance, in-demand skills, and credible networks for youth-led enterprises, agribusinesses, and fintech innovators.

Participant Voices: 'Truly Mind-Blowing' Transformation

The real-world impact was best articulated by the graduates themselves.

Participant Emmanaenie N. Akwetey described her journey as "transformative, impactful, and truly mind-blowing."

“I was selected by Absa to join the Mini MBA, and the journey has been challenging but incredibly rewarding,” she recounted.

“At first, I thought I could choose other things over this programme, but from the very first day, I was captivated. Over 13 weeks, we learned about entrepreneurship, digital integration, accounting, and tax practices. The professional training completely transformed the way I run my business. I now feel ready to take my company to the next level.”

She passionately encouraged other entrepreneurs, especially women in business, to seize the opportunity:

“Sign up for this programme. It will change your perspective, your approach, and even your revenue. The coaching and guidance equip you to run your business professionally, improve your accounting, and grow sustainably. Trust me, you will not remain the same.”

MTN Ghana confirmed plans to institutionalise the Mini MBA as an annual flagship programme, ensuring that next year, even more entrepreneurs nationwide will benefit from this world-class training and post-programme mentorship.