The GoG/World Bank/GEA/ Empretec Ghana: Ghana Jobs and Skills Project

The Government of Ghana launched the Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies (2017 - 2024): An Agenda for Jobs: Creating Prosperity and Equal Opportunity for All, which emphasized the need for the creation of more jobs that are gainful and productive. Government secured US$40 million financial and technical support from the World Bank for the implementation of the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project to bolster the development of entrepreneurship and business management skills towards a better thriving MSME sector. The Executing Agency is the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA).

Empretec Ghana is one of the four (4) Implementing Partners selected by GEA to be responsible for training and capacity building of a target of 19,648 start-ups and MSMEs in the Eastern and Ashanti Regions of Ghana. The Project which started in 2023 has a total project target of 50,000 Start-ups and existing MSMEs.

Empretec Ghana has provided Entrepreneurship & Business Management Skills Training for the empowerment of 21,039 Youth and Women-led start-ups and MSMEs to acquire the skills to start or manage enterprises more viably and sustainably. Grants of various amounts have been provided by GEA to outstanding beneficiaries to scale up their businesses.

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.

Empretec Ghana Partners with AngloGold Ashanti, Absa Bank, and MasterCard Foundation on the BAST Project to Strengthen SMEs in Obuasi

Empretec Ghana was the implementing partner of the Business Acceleration and Sustainability Project (BAST), a collaboration between AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, Absa Bank Ghana and the Mastercard Foundation. BAST aimed to strengthen the capacity of MSMEs in the AngloGold mining catchment area of Obuasi to sustainably build and grow their enterprises to compete at the national and local markets so to be able to continue to be in business during and after the mining activities.

Empretec Ghana conducted business diagnostics of participating MSMEs and delivered tailored entrepreneurship and business management skills training programmes to address identified gaps of access to finance and markets to foster improved profitability, expansion and job creation.

The Enhancing Entrepreneurship Development Project in Namibia

The Government of Namibia (GRN) is setting up Empretec Namibia at the Ministry of Industrialization and Trade in Windhoek, Namibia. Empretec Namibia, which will subscribe to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD's) EMPRETEC Model of entrepreneurship and enterprise development. The Project seeks to unleash the growth potential of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in Namibia, through entrepreneurial mind-set change and management skills training, backed by a comprehensive range of business advisory services. UNDP Namibia has oversight for the Project while Empretec Ghana and UNCTAD provide technical support for the implementation of the Project.

The Project involves Entrepreneurship Workshop Training (ETW) of about 1,600 MSMEs, UNCTAD Certification process for ETW Trainers as well as training of Business Development Services (BDS) Advisors. The Project was launched in 2020, put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic and re-started in 2023.

Fund Manager, the CTVET/World Bank/ Landell Mills/Empretec Ghana Program

Empretec Ghana signed a Consortium partnership with of Landell Mills of UK as the Fund Manager and implementing institution of the GoG/World Bank/Council for Technical and Vocational Training (CTVET) US$60 million grants Project, which started in June 2022. Five hundred and five (505), grants have been awarded in two calls for proposal, committing a total of USD 23 million in disbursements.