MTN Ghana has given five promising Ghanaian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) a major boost with cash prizes and digital support packages as part of activities marking MSME Day 2026.
The initiative, organised under MTN Business, saw the selected businesses emerge from a competitive pitch designed to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and digital growth among Ghanaian enterprises.
The competition provided a platform for shortlisted entrepreneurs to present their business models and innovative ideas before a panel of judges. At the end of the event, five businesses were selected to receive GH₵30,000 each, along with MTN YelloBiz packages designed to support their digital growth and business development. The event formed part of MTN Business’ broader efforts to support Ghana’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector.
According to organizers, the initiative was aimed at creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses, access critical support, and strengthen their competitiveness in an increasingly digital economy. The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, GEA, Ms. Margaret Ansel, served as one of the judges on the panel. Her participation underscored the agency’s commitment to working with the private sector to promote enterprise development across the country.
The Ten Shortlisted Businesses
The ten businesses shortlisted for the competition were 1010Foodie, DyluriBeauty, Ahwenepa Cookery, Haus of Lush, Edible Treats, Bubune Africa, Tropical Snacks, Manehlla Foods, which trades as Adepa Cereal, TAHIR Field Recycling, and Lebenam Skin.
Each of the enterprises presented a pitch focused on innovation, market potential, scalability, and impact on local communities. After deliberations, the panel announced the five winners. Each winning business received a cash prize of GH₵30,000.
In addition, they were awarded MTN YelloBiz packages. The YelloBiz offering is MTN Business’ suite of digital solutions tailored for SMEs, and it includes tools for connectivity, cloud services, marketing, and business management. The cash injection and digital support package are expected to help the winners expand operations, improve product delivery, and leverage technology to reach new markets.
Organizers noted that access to both funding and digital tools remains one of the biggest challenges facing SMEs in Ghana. Speaking after the awards, representatives of MTN Business stated that the competition reflects the company’s continued contribution to the development of the MSME sector. They explained that supporting small businesses aligns with MTN’s purpose of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress and with national efforts to create jobs and drive inclusive growth.
“MTN Business remains committed to empowering Ghanaian entrepreneurs, by providing funding and digital enablement, we are helping SMEs to scale, become more competitive, and contribute meaningfully to the economy’’.
MTN Ghana
GEA Reaffirms Commitments to MSME Growth and Digital Transformation
The GEA, for its part, reaffirmed its commitment to working with corporate partners to expand support for MSMEs. The agency noted that initiatives like the MTN Business Pitch Competition complement government programs aimed at formalizing and growing small businesses. Ultimately, the event highlighted the role of innovation and digitalization in the future of Ghana’s MSME sector. With funding support and access to technology, the five winning businesses are expected to scale their operations and create more jobs.
The Ghana Enterprises Agency also commended the initiative. In a statement following the competition, GEA congratulated all who participated for the businesses challenge for their innovation and resilience.
The agency further commended MTN Business for its continued support for entrepreneurship, innovation, and enterprise development in Ghana. “GEA congratulates all participating businesses and commends MTN Business for its continued support for entrepreneurship, innovation and enterprise development in Ghana,” the agency stated.
MS. Ansei, the CEO for Ghana Enterprise Agency in her remarks as a judge, encouraged the entrepreneurs to focus on building sustainable business models. She noted that while funding is important, long term success will depend on innovation, customer focus, and the ability to adapt to market changes. She also reiterated GEA’s mandate to provide business development services, training, and access to markets for MSMEs across the country.
The MSME Day 2026 celebrations provided the broader context for the competition. The annual observance is used to highlight the contributions of small businesses to job creation, economic growth, and community development. In Ghana, MSMEs account for a significant portion of employment and GDP, but many continue to face challenges related to access to finance, technology, and formal markets. Participants at the pitch competition represented a diverse range of sectors, including food processing, beauty and cosmetics, agribusiness, recycling, and consumer goods.
This diversity, organizers noted, reflects the dynamism of Ghana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the potential for SMEs to drive innovation across multiple industries.1010Foodie, one of the finalists, focuses on food delivery and catering services. DyluriBeauty and Lebenam Skin operate in the beauty and personal care space, offering locally made skincare products. Ahwenepa Cookery and Edible Treats are in the food production sector, while Haus of Lush specializes in home and lifestyle products.
Bubune Africa and Tropical Snacks are focused on packaged foods and healthy snacks, with an emphasis on using local raw materials. Manehlla Foods, under the brand Adepa Cereal, produces cereal-based products aimed at improving nutrition. TAHIR Field Recycling, the only recycling focused business among the finalists, works on waste management and sustainable solutions.
The Criteria for Evaluation
The judges evaluated the businesses based on criteria that included business viability, innovation, social impact, and potential for growth. The five winners were selected after a competitive process that involved live pitches and question and answer sessions. Beyond the cash prizes, the MTN YelloBiz packages are expected to play a critical role in the winners’ next phase of growth. The packages provide SMEs with access to business internet, digital marketing tools, cloud storage, and customer engagement platforms.
MTN Business explained that digitalization is essential for SMEs to remain competitive and to access both local and international markets. The ten finalists were able to interact with investors, mentors, and other stakeholders present at the MSME Day event.
For many of them, the exposure was as valuable as the prize money. MTN Business indicated that it plans to continue similar initiatives to support entrepreneurs that it sees SMEs as key drivers of economic transformation and that it will keep investing in programs that provide them with capital, skills, and digital tools.
As Ghana continues to prioritize MSME development, GEA and MTN agree that more platforms are needed to connect entrepreneurs with resources and markets. The MTN Business Pitch Competition, held under the banner of MSME Day 2026, provided one such platform and set a benchmark for how corporate support can translate into tangible opportunities for small businesses.
