Vodafone to move SMEs from surviving to thriving amid COVID-19

Accra, Sept. 11, GNA – Vodafone Ghana, as part of efforts to minimize the effects of COVID-19 on the growth of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), has introduced initiatives to support growth.

Vodafone has also removed interoperability charges on Vodafone Cash payments and partnered the Makola Foundation to train market traders and business owners on digital skills.

The virtual capacity-building programme for traders would educate participants on how digital solutions such as Vodafone’s Red Trader, Mobility Solutions, and Vodafone Cash could enhance productivity.

Madam Tawa Bolarin, the Director of Enterprise Business Unit and Wholesale, Vodafone Ghana, said Vodafone had dedicated September as the “Month of SMEs” to promote SME businesses and to ensure their sustainability.

This year’s SMEs Month, she said, formed part of the drive of Vodafone Ghana to accelerate SMEs’ adoption of digital solutions.

Madam Bolarin said SMEs were the backbone of the Ghanaian economy and represented about 85 per cent of businesses, largely within the private sector, and contributed about 70 per cent of Ghana’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“We believe that empowering them will improve their productivity and ability, which will ultimately contribute to Ghana’s economic development. This is why I am particularly excited about the many initiatives we have put in place as a company to develop, transform and create digital SMEs,” she added.

“With our expertise in connectivity and emerging technologies, we continue to enable SMEs progress and thrive during this pandemic. We believe that empowering them will improve their productivity, and resilience to continue to experience growth during and after this pandemic,” she added.

Madam Bolarin noted: “We live in very interesting times, filled with dynamic changes in the business and economic landscape and SMEs have always made it a point to shine.”

She said there was no doubt that SMEs were change-makers and required support and empowerment to embrace the digital future.

“Vodafone is always ready to engage new businesses on what is required to become ready for the digital future,” she said.

GNA