Absa InspireME challenges women to think beyond business size

Women entrepreneurs were urged to focus on business management and expansion at the Absa Bank Ghana Ltd’s InspireME 2026 conference. The event, themed ‘She Rises. She Expands. She Conquers,’ aimed to explore growth, innovation, opportunities, and sustainable enterprise development for women-led businesses. Dr Edward Nartey Botchway, the Managing Director of Absa Bank Ghana Ltd, emphasized that access to finance alone is insufficient; business capacity to manage and grow is crucial.

He advised participants to understand financials, separate personal income from business income, maintain accurate accounts, build a competent team, and grasp cash flows. The Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, challenged women to transcend the size of their current businesses by setting ambitious goals and taking decisive actions to enhance their enterprises.

The conference featured discussions on various aspects of business growth, including access to finance, innovation, leadership, market opportunities, and strategies for sustainable enterprises. Participants gained insights on financial literacy, digital skills, business management, market intelligence, branding, technology adoption, and accessing larger markets.

Attendees comprised women entrepreneurs, SME owners, corporate executives, emerging women leaders, women-led startups, investors, financial partners, government and development agencies, and industry stakeholders from Ghana and Africa. The InspireME event serves as the flagship platform of Absa Bank Ghana Ltd's Women Banking Proposition, fostering networking, knowledge exchange, and opportunities for personal, professional, and business development among women.