MTN Ghana launches National Business Pitch competition to reward and empower SMEs

MTN Ghana has launched a National Business Pitch Competition aimed at empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across all 16 regions of the country to grow, innovate, and build sustainable businesses.

The initiative, launched in Accra last Tuesday as part of activities marking the company’s 30th anniversary, is designed to identify, support, and accelerate high-potential businesses by providing entrepreneurs with a platform to showcase their ideas, unlock new opportunities, and scale up their operations.

Under the competition, three businesses from each of Ghana’s 16 regions will be selected, producing a total of 48 regional finalists who will compete for various cash prizes and other business development opportunities.

The competition, scheduled to run from October 27 to November 5, comes with an attractive reward package aimed at recognising and supporting outstanding businesses.

Each of the 16 regional winners will receive GH¢30,000 under the National Top 16 category, while five businesses will also receive GH¢30,000 each under the various sector or vertical awards.

The overall winner of the national grand finale will take home GH¢300,000.

MTN Ghana has also assured participants that the benefits will not be limited to the major prize winners, as other participating businesses will receive additional rewards and opportunities to support their growth.

Speaking to Adom News at the launch, MTN Manager for SME Sales South, Louisa Ago Anarfi, explained the rationale behind the initiative, saying it was part of the company’s efforts to create more opportunities for SMEs to grow and become sustainable.

“The National Business Pitch Competition is designed to discover, empower and accelerate high-potential businesses across all 16 regions of Ghana. We want to give businesses the opportunity to showcase what they are doing and provide them with a platform to unlock new opportunities for growth,” she said.

On the reward package, Louisa Ago Anarfi explained that the competition had been structured to ensure that businesses across the regions stood a chance of benefiting.

“Each of the 16 regional winners will receive GH¢30,000, while the overall national champion will receive GH¢300,000. We also have sector awards of GH¢30,000 for five businesses,” she said.

She further emphasised that the competition was not designed to benefit only the major winners, assuring entrepreneurs that other participants would also receive rewards.

“We want to assure participants that it is not only the winners who will benefit from this initiative. Other participating businesses will also receive rewards, because our ultimate goal is to support SMEs and help them grow,” she added.

She urged entrepreneurs and business owners across all 16 regions to take advantage of the opportunity by participating in the competition.

“I encourage all business owners and entrepreneurs across the country to take advantage of this opportunity. This is a platform that can help businesses showcase their potential, gain recognition and access opportunities to take their businesses to the next level,” she added.

Over the years, MTN Ghana, through its MTN Business division, has continued to support businesses with innovative solutions and services aimed at improving their operations, enhancing efficiency, and driving growth.

The introduction of the National Business Pitch Competition further reinforces the company’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s SME sector by providing entrepreneurs with opportunities to access funding, recognition, and the support needed to expand their businesses.

The initiative is expected to contribute to the growth of Ghana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by encouraging innovation, promoting regional participation, and helping promising businesses position themselves for long-term success.