MTN Ghana and Ministry of Trade Partner to Drive Digital Transformation for MSMEs and Transport Operators

In a concerted effort to accelerate Ghana’s digital economy, MobileMoney Fintech Limited and the Ministry of Trade and Industry have launched key initiatives targeting the transport sector and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Central to this drive is the 'Ride with MoMo' campaign, unveiled on July 8 in Accra, which aims to transition commercial drivers from personal mobile money wallets to specialized merchant accounts. This movement toward a cashless transport system is being mirrored at the policy level, where the Ministry of Trade has entered strategic discussions with MTN Ghana to leverage digital solutions for private sector growth and industrialization.

The 'Ride with MoMo' initiative, launched in collaboration with the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS), addresses longstanding challenges in the transport industry, such as cash-handling risks and high transaction costs. Abdul Razak Ali, Chief Commercial and Operations Officer at MobileMoney Fintech Limited, noted that merchant accounts offer reduced charges and improved operational efficiency. Beyond simple transactions, the campaign provides drivers with monthly rewards and incentives based on volume. Crucially, it allows operators to build digital financial records, which simplifies the process of securing business loans—a traditional hurdle for the informal transport sector.

Complementing these fintech solutions, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry is deepening its relationship with MTN Ghana to empower the broader MSME ecosystem. During a high-level meeting, Trade Minister Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare and MTN’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Ms. Adwoa Wiafe, outlined plans to use MTN’s digital infrastructure to support local entrepreneurs. The Minister emphasized that MSMEs are the backbone of job creation in Ghana, and that equipping them with modern digital tools is essential for the nation’s industrialization agenda.

These efforts are further bolstered by the introduction of the MSME Digital Gateway, a one-stop platform developed by the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) in partnership with the UNDP and GI-KACE. This gateway is designed to simplify access to business support, finance, and markets for over 25,000 entrepreneurs, with a specific focus on women and youth-owned businesses. By consolidating essential services into a single digital interface, the platform aims to reduce the complexities of doing business in Ghana and strengthen the resilience of small-scale enterprises in an increasingly digital global market.

Together, these initiatives represent a significant shift toward a more formalized and digitally integrated Ghanaian economy. By bridging the gap between informal transport operators and formal financial services, and providing MSMEs with the tools to scale, the partnership between the government and private sector players like MTN is set to enhance financial inclusion and economic stability. As these digital solutions gain traction, the long-term outlook for Ghana's business environment points toward increased transparency, security, and growth for local entrepreneurs.