The first edition of Access Bank (Ghana) Plc’s Business Startup Challenge has come to a close, with the top three finalists getting a Ghc 30,000 in cash and Ghc 20,000 in business insurance cover from the bank.

A Ghc 30,000 consulting package from Platinum Africa Solutions, six months gold subscriptions from OZE, free websites for the first five finalists, and a two-month silver subscription from OZE for the remaining seven finalists are among the other incentives.

Through its ‘W’ initiative and in partnership with Platinum Africa Solutions, Access Bank launched the five-week challenge aimed at supporting young Ghanaian startup businesses with creative ideas, an opportunity to showcase their ingenuity through their business proposals and rewarding the most innovative, feasible ideas.

Thirty young entrepreneurs were chosen from over 10,000 candidates for the five-week challenge. Participants went through a boot camp where they participated in business classes and received advice on how to stay current and ahead of the competition.

Rationale for the Challenge

Olumide Olatunji, the Managing Director of Access Bank, detailed the bank’s rationale for the Business Startup Challenge in his welcome presentation.

“Knowing very well that funding, inadequate planning and management skills are among the top challenges startups face, we chose to reward participants who reached the final 30 to go through some of these vital processes through a boot-camp session – where they were engaged in business workshops and advisory services to equip them to remain relevant and above their competition.”
Olumide Olatunji

Mr. Olatunji reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to SMEs and urged the awardees to digitalize their businesses in order to be competitive in this digital age. Even though the edition has concluded, the Managing Director stressed that the bank is always open for any banking needs for SMEs.

“Though the challenge has officially ended, you can always reach out to us for all your SME and banking needs. Access Bank has dedicated branches and a portal on its website, as ready resource centers where customers can walk in or log-on for business support. I also want to encourage you to digitize your business, it’s one sure way to excel in this era of digitalization.”
Olumide Olatunji

Zenobia Asmah, CEO of Zenags Organics, Amina Mumuni, CEO of Amishea Company Ltd., and Sherifatu Yakubu, CEO of Dawa Plus, took first, second, and third place, respectively, in the Business Startup Challenge.

Access Bank promised consumers of excellent financial services and stated that its banking services are available to everybody, regardless of their social status.

“As we build a strong retail banking franchise for our customers in Ghana and across the continent, we want to be part of the conversation and highlight Access Bank’s brand position as a lifestyle choice for everyone, no matter the social bracket you belong to.”
Olumide Olatunji

Operating from 53 business locations across the country, Access Bank continues to build solid long-term relationships with customers based on trust, digital innovations, good customer service and transparency.

The Bank has over the years developed a deep understanding of its customers, delivering excellent services and empowering them to achieve more through financial education.