UNDP Ghana holds 5th Nimdie Series for MSMEs with a focus on innovation for competitive growth

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ghana hosted the fifth edition of the Nimdie Series, bringing together entrepreneurs and thought leaders to explore how Ghanaian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) can stay competitive through innovation.

Held virtually under the theme “Product and Service Innovation: Staying Ahead in a Competitive Market”, the session featured insights from Ekow Mensah, a seasoned social entrepreneur, and Ronald Tagoe, founder of customer engagement platform MNotify.

Since being launched in 2024, the Nimdie Series has become an important knowledge-sharing platform that addresses the root challenges faced by MSMEs. It offers a mix of thought leadership, case studies, and real-world examples to help businesses scale with purpose.

In the latest edition, social entrepreneur Ekow Mensah, introduced a framework for demand-driven business growth, while digital entrepreneur Ronald Tagoe shared how his company, MNotify, evolved from a campus bulk SMS service to a full customer engagement platform using AI-powered chatbots. These stories offered practical inspiration for MSMEs looking to innovate in product design, customer service, and business models.

Beyond knowledge sharing, the Nimdie Series also serves as a springboard for deeper partnerships and policy discussions, positioning MSMEs to take advantage of opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and beyond.

Dr. Edward Ampratwum, Head of Inclusive Growth and Accountable Governance Cluster at UNDP Ghana underscored the importance of the Nimdie Series and emphasized the critical role of innovation in strengthening Ghanaian MSMEs.

“With over 90% of businesses in Ghana fall within the MSME space, Innovation, whether through new products, improved services, or more efficient delivery models, is no longer optional. In today’s highly competitive environment, it is a necessity for survival and growth. Many MSMEs do not make it past their third year, and a key reason is the lack of innovation. That’s why discussions like today’s are vital, especially as we prepare our MSMEs to tap into larger markets such as the AfCFTA”, Dr. Ampratwum added. 

As the series continues throughout the year, future sessions will tackle other critical areas such as digitalization, finance, and market access—ensuring that MSMEs across Ghana are supported with the insights and partnerships they need to succeed.