Collins Sefa Ghana’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) took centre stage at the MTN SME Ghana Awards (SMEGA) 2024, where innovation, resilience, and business excellence were celebrated in grand style.
The event, held on October 30, 2025, in Accra, brought together government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and innovators to honour the remarkable contributions of SMEs to Ghana’s economic transformation.
Empowering Ghanaian Businesses Through Commitment
Organised in partnership with MTN Ghana, Fidelity Bank, and StarLife Assurance, the ceremony recognised the vital role of entrepreneurs in driving growth, creating jobs, and promoting inclusive development.
In a video message, Steven Blewett, CEO of MTN Ghana, reaffirmed MTN’s long-term dedication to the SME sector, emphasizing that the partnership with SMEGA represents more than sponsorship.
“Our partnership with the SME Ghana Awards goes beyond sponsorship,” he said. “It’s a commitment — a commitment to empower, to connect, and to help Ghanaian businesses thrive in an increasingly digital and globally competitive market.”
Blewett highlighted MTN’s initiatives — including digital business solutions, MoMo for Business, and capacity-building programmes — as part of the company’s strategy to help entrepreneurs scale and compete both locally and internationally.
Beyond Recognition: Building Sustainable Enterprises
Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Ghana, underscored the awards’ importance in not just rewarding excellence but also providing tangible business support.
“SMEGA 2024 is a great opportunity for SMEs — not only to be recognised but to be rewarded with tangible support,” she said. “Winners go home with fully funded life insurance from StarLife, access to loans from Fidelity Bank, and digital business services from MTN. The overall winner also earns a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a business development training programme in India.”
Mensah-Poku added that MTN’s support continues beyond the awards night, ensuring that entrepreneurs receive ongoing mentorship and development opportunities.
“Once this is over, we don’t leave them. We hold their hand until next year. Our commitment is to ensure that no business is left behind — whether they are MTN customers or not.”
She further announced that all nominees would have access to training programmes in partnership with Nova Business School and ABSA, helping them acquire the skills needed to grow sustainably.
India Reaffirms Support for SME Development
The Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. Manish Gupta, praised the initiative, describing SMEs as the heartbeat of national development.
“This evening celebrates the innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of Ghanaians,” he said. “SMEs are engines of sustainable growth and global competitiveness. India and Ghana share this belief and are ready to collaborate in technology, renewable energy, and digital transformation to empower entrepreneurs.”
He highlighted India’s ongoing development cooperation with Ghana — including scholarship programmes, capacity building, and digital integration initiatives — reaffirming both nations’ commitment to inclusive prosperity.
“Our approach is not just to invest, but to empower. As co-travellers in Ghana’s development journey, we believe progress must come through partnership, innovation, and mutual trust,” he added.
Building Bridges for Growth
Kwesi Ofori Jnr, Team Lead for SMEGA, expressed gratitude to MTN Ghana and all partners for their continuous support in strengthening Ghana’s SME ecosystem.
“Through our partnership with MTN, we trained over 667 businesses across four regions this year,” he noted. “We’re also facilitating international exchanges, with Ghanaian SMEs travelling to India and China for training and market access. Real progress comes through collaboration between government, the private sector, and entrepreneurs.”
He emphasized SMEGA’s vision of providing continuous support, funding, and global exposure.
“Our vision is to move Ghanaian SMEs beyond local recognition to global relevance,” he affirmed.
Celebrating Excellence and Impact
The 2024 edition honoured 21 outstanding winners across sectors including agribusiness, technology, services, manufacturing, and trade.
Yesli Ice emerged as the Overall Best SME of the Year, earning top honours for its innovation and growth in the food and beverage sector.
Category Winners:
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Pharmaceutical & Cosmetics: Sincheshea
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Textile, Clothing & Garment: Akaal Skills Development
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Food Processing: B-Diet Limited
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Food & Beverage: Yesli Ice
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Construction & Building Materials: Saan One One Company Ltd
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Rising Star: Haps Global Logistics
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Micro Entrepreneur (Discovery): Evergreen Blessed Ltd
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Agribusiness (Crop Production): Lexvee Agro Processing
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Agribusiness (Agro Processing): Queen GAF Enterprise
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Agribusiness (Commodity Trade): Minana Services
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Education (Service): Akaal Skills Development Academy
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Production Innovation: Yesli Ice
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Tech Adoption: Sincheshea
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Export Excellence: Queen GAF Enterprise
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Leadership Excellence: Charles of B-Diet
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Woman Entrepreneur: Rita of Yesli Ice
Special Recognition Awards were presented to:
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James Ebo Whyte – SME Industry Shaper
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Joyce Ababio – Long Service Award
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Connect 97.1 FM – Media Reportage
SMEGA: A Movement for Sustainable Growth
The SMEGA Awards continue to evolve beyond recognition — emerging as a national movement to strengthen Ghana’s SME ecosystem through innovation, digital transformation, and collaboration.
With continued support from partners like MTN Ghana, Fidelity Bank, and StarLife Assurance, SMEGA is empowering local businesses to compete — and thrive — on the global stage.
