Section of the dignitaries at the launch. INSET: Angela Mensah-Poku
MTN Ghana has launched the MTN National Business Pitch Competition to provide funding, mentorship and digital business support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across all 16 regions of the country.
The initiative offers a grand prize of GH¢300,000 to the national winner and GH¢30,000 to each of the 16 regional winners. It forms part of activities marking MTN Ghana’s 30th anniversary under the theme, “30 Years of Progress, Powered by You.”
Speaking at the launch, MTN Ghana’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Angela Mensah-Poku, said the initiative reflected the company’s appreciation of the significant contributions Ghanaian entrepreneurs had made to its growth over the past three decades.
She noted that many entrepreneurs faced challenges, including rising rents, delayed customer payments and difficulties securing financing because of collateral requirements and inadequate financial records.
“Ghanaian entrepreneurs have demonstrated their skill and determination. What many need are the right tools, the right advice, and access to the right people,” she said.
Ms. Mensah-Poku explained that the competition would help businesses improve their operations, explore digital opportunities and build valuable connections within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
She encouraged business owners nationwide to participate and urged industry partners, business associations and the media to help extend the opportunity to entrepreneurs in communities across the country.
MTN Ghana’s Senior Manager for SME Sales, Partnerships and Business Broadband, Mohammed Abu Bakar Siddiq, said the nationwide initiative followed the success of the company’s Business Pitch programme, which had been organised over the past two years.
He explained that the programme had reached about three regions this year, with positive feedback from participants prompting its expansion to all 16 regions.
Mr. Siddiq announced that the competition would begin in 2027 and run throughout the year, with the national grand finale expected towards the end of the year.
Under the arrangement, three businesses will be selected from each region, bringing the total number of participants to 48. One winner will emerge from each region and receive GH¢30,000, while the overall national champion will take home GH¢300,000.
He said the competition was open to eligible registered businesses owned by entrepreneurs of different ages and genders, with independent judges assessing participants throughout the selection process.
Outlining the application requirements, MTN Ghana’s Manager for Enterprise Segment and Product Development, Maame Ama Simpson, said interested businesses must be legally registered and have operated for at least one year.
Applicants must also conduct business in the region where they register for the competition.
She added that applicants could provide evidence of business activity through a Mobile Money account or a MoMo merchant account.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke