United Bank for Africa (UBA) Ghana and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on supporting micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) led by youth and women in Ghana.
The partnership aims to empower and scale up youth and women-led MSMEs, fostering job creation, revenue generation, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, the collaboration will enable access to climate financing schemes and enhance financial inflows from climate funding channels, thereby contributing to Ghana’s efforts to translate climate commitments into tangible actions.
Under this partnership, both parties will work together to design and implement innovative programs and mechanisms that strengthen UBA Ghana’s capacity to access climate financing, including support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
Mr. Chris Ofikulu, the Managing Director of UBA Ghana and Regional Chief Executive Officer of UBA West Africa, emphasized that this collaboration demonstrates UBA Ghana’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on providing tailored financial solutions and growth opportunities for businesses of all sizes. He highlighted that the partnership aims to facilitate intra-African trade and boost economic development.
The businesses involved in the program will benefit from a customized support package, including capacity development in areas such as corporate governance, branding, marketing, financial assistance, and product design. They will also receive support for energy efficiency audits and measures to reduce their carbon footprint, contributing to environmental sustainability.
Dr. Angela Lusigi, the UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana, explained that the partnership aligns with UNDP’s mission to influence resource allocation for development by encouraging businesses and investors to integrate the SDGs and climate action into their decision-making processes. She emphasized that the MOU will promote inclusive, resilient, and green entrepreneurship by leveraging UNDP’s expertise in working with MSMEs and innovators, combined with UBA Ghana’s experience in business support.
 Ghana and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have joined forces through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to uplift micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) driven by youth and women in Ghana. The collaboration aims to fuel job creation, revenue growth, and environmental sustainability, while also facilitating access to climate financing opportunities. This partnership demonstrates UBA Ghana's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its dedication to fostering business growth across all sizes. The initiative seeks to empower businesses with tailored support, including capacity development and energy efficiency measures, in line with UNDP's efforts to embed the SDGs and climate action into business practices.){kind=link}