Empretec Ghana/UNDP/Absa Bank/Mastercard Foundation Empower Youth and Women-Led MSMEs Through the District Innovation Challenge Fund

The District Innovation Challenge, was initiated by UNDP in partnership with Absa Bank, Mastercard Foundation and Empretec Ghana to support high-growth oriented and innovative enterprises. The initiative, aimed at youth and women-led MSMEs, focused on scaling solutions that address key development challenges in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This entrepreneurship challenge targeted six selected border districts in Ghana, encouraging participants to present innovative solutions with potential impact in the areas of People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships.

Between 2023 and 2024, the capacity of 300 MSMEs were strengthened by Empretec Ghana through training, technical and managerial capacity building, mentoring, coaching and pitching sessions. Eighteen (18) MSMEs received grants of GHC 50,000 (equivalent of US$3,000) each to scale -up their businesses.