Mastercard Partners With the Ghana Enterprise Agency to Support Women Led SMEs in Ghana
Sandra Quarshie 
Mastercard has teamed up with the Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA) to provide free business and product registration services for female-owned businesses under the Biz in a Box project. This initiative aims to promote financial inclusion, support entrepreneurship, and enhance business credibility for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana.
With SMEs forming a significant part of Ghana’s economy, this collaboration will enable thousands of female entrepreneurs to register their businesses as legal entities. Formal registration opens doors to financial opportunities, allowing these businesses to expand locally and internationally. This initiative is part of Mastercard’s broader strategy to drive economic inclusion in Africa by leveraging digital solutions and strategic partnerships to empower small businesses.
ROLE OF THE GHANA ENTERPRISE AGENCY (GEA)
The Ghana Enterprise Agency, a key government institution focused on SME development, will lead the implementation of this program. The initiative is expected to create a more structured and inclusive business environment, facilitating the formalization of enterprises across the country.
By registering their businesses, SMEs will gain access to essential financial services such as credit facilities, which are often unavailable to unregistered enterprises. This access to capital can help businesses grow, increase production capacity, and drive innovation within Ghana’s SME sector.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To qualify for this program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- The business must be female-owned or female-led.
- The products or goods must be made in Ghana.
- The business must be Ghanaian-owned.
BENEFITS OF THIS PARTNERSHIP
This initiative covers:
- Registration of sole proprietorship enterprises or businesses
- Registration of one product per business
TARGET AUDIENCE
Eligible businesses must operate in one of the following sectors:
- Food & Beverages – cereals, shito, groundnut paste, flour, snacks, cookies, fruit juices, etc.
- Cosmetics – hair products, skin products, shower gels, soaps, etc.
- Household Chemicals – liquid soaps, washing soaps, detergents, etc.
WHY THIS MATTERS
This initiative aligns with Ghana’s broader economic development goals by promoting financial inclusion and reducing the size of the informal sector. As more businesses become formally registered, the government can provide targeted policies and programs to support their growth. This, in turn, contributes to economic expansion and poverty reduction.
HOW TO REGISTER
Interested businesses can register HERE
Important: After completing the registration form, make sure to write down or take a screenshot of the pop-up message. The details in the message will be required if your business is selected.
For further inquiries, contact the Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA) on 0302747777.
Find the contact details of GEA's Business Advisory Centres (BACs) across Ghana HERE
