{
  "id": 4944599,
  "title": "Telecel Ghana launches SME Month 2026 to unlock growth for entrepreneurs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/telecel-ghana-launches-sme-month-2026-to-unlock-growth-for",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-01T21:37:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Joy Business",
    "slug": "joy-business",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/telecel-ghana-launches-sme-month-2026-to-unlock-growth-for-entrepreneurs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Telecel Ghana has launched its annual Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SME) Month 2026 with the goal of aiding emerging businesses in scaling up and achieving stable growth. The month-long initiative, spearheaded by Telecel Business, uses the theme \"Connect to Growth: Unlock More\" to offer practical assistance, digital resources, and expansion prospects to SMEs throughout Ghana. Activities during the campaign will focus on skill development, technology, market reach, and networking opportunities.\n\nAt the event, Nii Lartey, Acting Director of Enterprise Business at Telecel Ghana, emphasized the shift in focus towards facilitating the growth and sustainability of businesses. He highlighted that while starting a business is a significant achievement, the real challenge lies in growth, maintenance, and transformation into a thriving enterprise. Telecel Business has introduced various practical tools, knowledge, systems, connections, and opportunities to assist budding businesses in elevating their performance.\n\nGhana's Statistical Service reported that there were over 2.6 million business establishments in 2026, with approximately 92% operating as informal micro businesses. Telecel Ghana believes that these statistics underscore the necessity of supporting businesses in transitioning from small, informal setups to sustainable and scalable enterprises. The company has partnered with the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) on a Train-to-Scale program, a free regional training initiative that provides selected SME owners with essential business skills, mentorship, content creation, and Telecel Cash Merchant training.\n\nMadam Habiba Sumani, Head of MSME Development Directorate at GEA, acknowledged the significance of digital inclusion in fostering inclusive economic growth. She noted that when entrepreneurs have reliable connectivity and proficiency in using digital tools, they can more effectively reach customers, reduce transaction costs, access information, develop professional networks, and participate more actively in both local and global markets. GEA commended Telecel's leadership in recognizing the crucial role SMEs play in Ghana's development.\n\nA major highlight of the SME Month is \"The CEOs Unscripted with Delay,\" a series of engaging discussions with founders of successful businesses, where they share their experiences, challenges, technology choices, and growth strategies. This year’s events will extend beyond Accra, with the Telecel Business Runway, a transformative experience for existing SMEs, startups, financial advisors, and investors, traveling to the Western Region. Alfred Neizer, Head of SME at Telecel Ghana, explained that this year's SME Month is led by their flagship product, The Boss Plan, which aims to accelerate digital transformation for SMEs by providing high-volume, non-expiry data and voice bundles, along with a built-in customer outreach and SMS marketing tool. Neizer explained that as businesses expand, they require more data, enhanced communication, and straightforward methods to stay connected with their customers. The Boss Plan offers SMEs all these features in a single solution, aiding in more efficient business operations and a focus on growth.\n\nTelecel Ghana's 2026 SME Month builds upon previous initiatives, which have evolved from capacity-building and women-focused entrepreneurship to youth entrepreneurship, AI training, business showcases, networking, and digital business solutions. All SMEs in Ghana are encouraged to sign up for the Boss Plan through the Telecel Play App or by dialing *5959#.",
  "summary": "Telecel Ghana has launched this year’s edition of its annual Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SME) Month, setting a clear ambition to help emerging businesses scale up and achieve sustainable growth.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Telecel Ghana launches 2026 SME Month to drive business growth",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/telecel-ghana-launches-2026-sme-month-to-drive-business-growth",
        "published": "2026-09-01T18:00:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}