MTN Ghana Introduces Digital Solutions to Support Women Founders

• MTN Ghana introduced business solutions to support women entrepreneurs
• Solutions aim to eliminate digital barriers that prevent women from entering Ghana's formal economy
• The conference hosted leaders and experts to discuss issues women encounter in business

MTN Ghana launched women entrepreneurs' targeted business solutions during the "She Builds" Conference, centering on digital hindrances that restrict women's access to Ghana's formal economy, even though they own 80 percent of informal businesses.

The activity took place on September 10 at the Accra International Conference Centre and was hosted in collaboration with The Academic Woman Foundation.

Policy makers, corporate executives, and campaigners were brought together to deliberate on entrenched challenges encountered by women entrepreneurs.

Angela Mensah-Poku, MTN Ghana's Chief Enterprise Officer, highlighted the paradox of Ghana's economy whereby women own a majority of small businesses but lack access to development opportunities.

She illustrated that major constraints include restricted access to finance, digital tools, formal networks, and mentorship.

The conference has underscored digital exclusion as a key challenge for women businesspeople. Angela explained that women often register telephone numbers in the names of their husbands, which hinders the use of mobile money, banking, and other related business applications.

She further explained that digital identity made up of basic attributes like a phone number, KYC information, and a Ghana Card is essential to open up wider economic possibilities.

To meet these demands, MTN Ghana launched the Adwumapa Bundle that offers low-cost voice, data, SMS, and lifestyle services through the 5060# platform.

 The offering is intended to assist women-owned businesses in sustaining business communication, creating brand identity, and growing their business. Other solutions like Y'ello Biz and Webwiz were also presented to complement women business owners.

The conference determined that breaking digital barriers, enhancing access to formal financial institutions, and offering targeted mentorship could enable women entrepreneurs to grow beyond subsistence-level ventures and contribute more meaningfully to economic growth.

MTN Ghana's partnership with The Academic Woman Foundation shows a strategic initiative to merge the resources of the company and scholarly expertise in tackling women entrepreneur socioeconomic issues.

With Ghana positioning itself as a regional business center, empowering women via digital solutions may strengthen its competitive advantage within West Africa's growing economy.