The MTN Ghana Foundation is expanding a programme to fund small businesses run by young people, women and people with disabilities, as the West African country grapples with youth unemployment levels far above the national average. The foundation’s Enterprise Support Programme, run with business accelerator Innohub, aims to support 500 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises over five years through grants, training and technical assistance, foundation chairman Professor Franklin Manu said. DisbursementIn 2023, the foundation disbursed about 1 million cedis to 140 small and medium-sized businesses, with grants of up to 10,000 cedis each paired with training, according to the foundation. They say sustained mentorship, access to markets and stronger links to banks and other financial institutions are needed for small businesses to grow beyond subsistence level once initial funding runs out. Closer coordination between private-sector schemes such as MTN’s and government-run apprenticeship and vocational training programmes could also improve outcomes, they say, by extending the reach of limited funding.