Five Ghanaian small businesses have secured GH¢30,000 each in funding under MTN Ghana’s SME Business Pitch Competition, as the telecommunications company intensified efforts to strengthen entrepreneurship through financing, digital innovation and business development support.
The winners, Tahir Field Recycling, Edible Treats, Dyluri Beauty, Manehlla Foods and Tropical Snacks—emerged from a competitive pitching session involving 10 finalists selected from hundreds of applications received nationwide during activities marking this year’s World MSME Day in Accra.
Beyond the cash awards, the winning entrepreneurs will participate in MTN Ghana’s 13-week Mini MBA programme, delivered in partnership with NOVA Business School, while also gaining access to digital business solutions and continued mentorship through the company’s SME Accelerate Programme.
The five remaining finalists 10-10 Foodie, Awhenepa Cookery, House of Lush, Bubune Africa Limited and Lebenam Skin received GH¢2,000 each together with MTN Business support packages, including the Y’ello Biz Router, MiFi devices and other digital tools designed to improve business operations.
Speaking to News Ghana ,Senior Manager for SME Sales at MTN Ghana, Mohammed Abubakari Sidick, said the initiative reflects the company’s long-term commitment to helping small businesses overcome barriers to growth through access to finance, digital technology and business education.
He noted that while hundreds of entrepreneurs applied for the competition, only 10 businesses advanced to the final pitching stage before an independent panel of judges.
“SMEs remain the backbone of Ghana’s economy because they create jobs and drive innovation. At MTN, we understand their journey because the company itself started as an SME,” he said.
Mr. Sidick explained that the competition forms part of MTN Ghana’s year-round SME Accelerate Programme, which continues to provide entrepreneurs with business advisory services, digital solutions and financing opportunities through the company’s Mobile Money platform.
He said the latest competition marks the third edition under the programme this year, following earlier pitch events held during the MTN Women’s Summit in Accra and AshantiFest in Kumasi.
For overall winner Tahir Field Recycling, the recognition represents a major boost for a business transforming used engine oil into reusable products.
Chief Executive Officer Tahiru Umar said the idea originated from childhood memories of watching waste engine oil being discarded whenever his grandfather serviced his vehicle.
He explained that the observation later inspired his university research project before evolving into a commercial recycling enterprise.
“This recognition confirms that persistence and innovation pay off. We are grateful to MTN Ghana and its partners for believing in our vision,” he said.
Mr. Umar said the GH¢30,000 prize would be invested in acquiring a vacuum pump and expanding the company’s supply of waste engine oil to increase production capacity.
He added that the expansion is expected to create more employment opportunities, with plans to recruit at least two additional workers in the coming months and up to six more before the end of the year.
The company currently employs 30 workers, comprising seven permanent and 23 temporary staff.
Mr. Umar also called for more public and private sector initiatives that support young entrepreneurs, saying increased investment in start-ups and small businesses could accelerate job creation and economic growth across Ghana.
