MTN Nigeria has unveiled a ₦100 million ($65,200) accelerator program targeting early-stage startups across Africa, including Ghana.
The “From Africa, for Africa” initiative, opening for applications ahead of its September 2025 launch, will select ventures in fintech, agritech, AI, and cybersecurity for a 12-week hybrid program based in Lagos.
According to official records, participants gain equity-free funding, mentorship, and access to MTN’s cloud infrastructure and MoMo payment APIs. MTN Nigeria’s Chief Enterprise Officer Lynda Saint-Nwafor described the initiative as “a launchpad to greatness,” emphasizing its focus on scalable digital solutions. The program aligns with MTN’s broader ₦3 billion investment in Nigeria’s 3MTT skills project, which trained 90,000 Nigerians.
For Ghanaian startups, the accelerator offers critical growth opportunities despite its Nigerian anchor. MTN Ghana—a key player in the country’s mobile money and internet ecosystem—has not announced similar local funding, though its parent company’s pan-African reach could benefit Ghana-based applicants. The initiative enters a competitive landscape dominated by Google’s accelerator and Telecel’s ASIP program, both active in Ghana.
Ghana’s tech sector remains central to President Mahama’s economic diversification agenda. Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang recently emphasized digital innovation as a pillar for job creation ahead of the 2028 elections. Analysts note that while modest, MTN’s fund could bolster cross-border collaborations if Ghanaian startups leverage its infrastructure for rural-focused solutions in agriculture or health tech.
The program’s impact hinges on post-graduation support and alignment with national digital strategies. Applications close in August via MTN’s online portal.
