In a bold step to enhance support for Ghanaian tech startups, the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations has announced plans to introduce a competitive, “Shark Tank”-style pitching model as a core component of its upcoming Digital Tech Development Fund.
This novel approach—modeled after the popular television format where entrepreneurs present business ideas to potential investors—is designed to ensure that funding and business advisory services are distributed based on merit, scalability, and innovation.
According to the Sector Minister, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), the Ministry’s vision is to make Ghana a fertile hub for digital entrepreneurship by giving promising innovators a platform to secure both capital and strategic support.
“We envision a Ghanaian ‘Shark Tank,’ where innovators come and make their pitch. Advisory firms like KPMG would then identify promising ideas they wish to support, offering the crucial business advisory services needed to grow these businesses.”
Hon. Samuel Nartey George
KPMG, a key partner in the government’s digital transformation efforts, has thrown its full weight behind the initiative. The firm sees this not only as a funding strategy but also as a tool for bridging the gap between tech innovation and sound business practices.
The Minister emphasized that this division of labor—where tech entrepreneurs innovate and business experts guide growth—is essential for creating viable, long-term digital enterprises in Ghana.
He noted that while the country boasts exceptional talent in coding, design, and other technical disciplines, many tech startups falter due to weak financial structures and inadequate business planning.
“This symbiotic relationship is designed to address a critical gap we’ve identified: that while Ghanaian tech innovators possess exceptional technical skills, many lack the requisite business acumen to transition from a promising startup to a fully-fledged, scalable enterprise.”
Hon. Samuel Nartey George
Pitching Format Targets Growth Challenges
At the heart of the strategy is the belief that innovation alone is not enough to scale a business. The Ministry’s approach incorporates intensive mentoring and advisory services, which are often missing from grant-focused or donor-led funding models.
“I think it’s the only way we can grow our business,” Hon. Nartey George added, signaling a shift toward outcome-driven funding policies that focus on building sustainable, investor-ready businesses.
The KPMG delegation, led by Country Managing Partner Andrew Akoto, expressed enthusiasm over the planned pitch-based model.
Akoto drew parallels with the firm’s existing Global Tech Innovator competition, noting that while that program has a broader international scope, the philosophy is similar.
“I’m so thrilled to hear this because that is exactly what we are trying to do with the Global Tech Innovator competition, although on a larger scale.”
Andrew Akoto
Ministry, KPMG Align On Tech Startup Strategy
KPMG’s local involvement in Ghana’s tech scene, particularly through its association with events like the Ghana Fintech Awards, has positioned the firm as an active player in the ecosystem.
Its hands-on knowledge of the country’s digital landscape gives it a practical edge in identifying and mentoring startups with real-world potential.
The firm reiterated its commitment to working with the Ministry in refining and rolling out the pitch-based model.
“For us, we are more than ever happy to lend our own ideas to how we support bringing this concept to the limelight,” said a member of the KPMG team, reinforcing the company’s investment in the project’s success.
The Ministry’s initiative arrives at a crucial time. Ghana’s digital sector, though vibrant and growing, faces headwinds related to financing, mentorship, and access to international markets.
Many tech startups struggle to move beyond the seed stage due to limited exposure and poorly structured growth plans.
The proposed pitch competition hopes to tackle these issues head-on by encouraging transparency, competitive spirit, and accountability.
By placing innovators before panels of experienced business advisors, the Ministry hopes to train founders not only to develop tech solutions but also to pitch, pivot, and plan like seasoned entrepreneurs.
In aligning its public investment with private sector rigor, the Ministry is also signaling a broader cultural shift in how government interacts with innovation.
It moves away from blanket grants toward performance-based funding—an approach designed to yield measurable results and foster a dynamic, resilient digital economy.
If successful, the pitch-based format could become a model for other African countries seeking to stimulate innovation while building the next generation of tech-driven enterprises.
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