MTN Ghana has partnered with UMB and Kola Market to roll out a new business empowerment initiative targeting traders, tailors and dressmakers in Kumasi, as part of efforts to deepen digital financial inclusion and improve small business management skills.

The programme, dubbed “Wo Nkosoɔ”, was launched at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and brought together women-led businesses and market traders for training in mobile money services, digital banking, savings, loans and fraud prevention.

Officials said the initiative is aimed at equipping informal sector workers with practical financial knowledge and digital tools to help expand their businesses amid growing interest in technology-driven commerce in Ghana.

Charles Osei Owusu, Senior Manager for Business Development at MTN Ghana’s MobileMoney Fintech Ltd, said many small-scale traders still underutilise mobile money platforms beyond basic transfers.

“We are here to help traders improve their businesses by educating them on the opportunities available through mobile money,” he told journalists, adding that some users were unaware they could access loans, pensions and savings products through MoMo platforms.

He said the programme would later be extended to other parts of the country.

The initiative also focused on tackling rising mobile money fraud cases, with MTN officials urging customers to protect their PINs and remain cautious of scams. Organisers said the company’s “Project Shine Your Eye” campaign, which includes public education and drama performances, was being intensified to improve awareness on fraud prevention.

Chief Executive Officer of Kola Market, Marie-Reine Seshie, said the partnership sought to strengthen women-led enterprises by combining financial literacy with emerging digital tools.

According to her, participants were introduced to an AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot designed to help business owners track sales, monitor operations and improve record keeping.

“The outcome we expect after this forum is that participants will be able to monitor their sales and improve the management of their businesses,” she said.

UMB also used the forum to promote its digital banking services, encouraging participants to adopt the bank’s SpeedApp platform for remote banking transactions.

Edem Knight-Tay, Head of Corporate Communications at UMB, said the bank remained committed to supporting small businesses through accessible financial services and relationship management support.

The launch comes as financial institutions and telecom operators in Ghana increasingly target the informal sector with digital solutions aimed at improving access to banking services and boosting entrepreneurship, particularly among women-owned businesses.