German Society for International Cooperation GIZ GmbH Tender Result

Digital transformation has proven to be a lever for informal enterprises in particular to improve their employment and income situation. However, digital transformation in Ghana is currently exacerbating inequalities between informal micro-entrepreneurs and larger, tech-savvy businesses, for example in terms of access to markets, customers and credit. MSMEs often lack the basic skills to optimise, expand and secure their economic activities through digital applications, services and channels. Overall, businesses, especially informal MSMEs, are not benefiting sufficiently from the digital transformation in Ghana. Without digital inclusion policies, the population is threatened by reduced employment prospects, barriers to accessing the labour market, internal migration and general uncertainty in dealing with the ongoing digital transformation. The project Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development in Ghana (01/2023 - 12/2025), implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), aims to improve the economic situation, especially of informal micro-enterprises, through digital transformation. The direct target groups of the module are peri-urban informal micro-entrepreneurs, especially women and young people. The intermediaries are representatives of innovative start-ups, students and employees of public authorities and private and public service providers. The project is based on three outputs: (1) The project aims to strengthen public capacity and cooperation at national and regional level to promote digital entrepreneurship, with a focus on developing support measures such as operational and monitoring plans with partners. It builds on successful formats such as the Ghana Digital Innovation Week and promotes collaboration between digital ecosystem actors in the target regions to increase efficiency. (2) Improving access to targeted digital solutions can make micro-enterprises more efficient. Relevant digital services and tools are already available on the market, but they are not tailored to the capacities and needs of the target groups. The project will support digital Solution Providers (SP) to develop products that meet the specific needs of informal MSMEs. It will also establish central contact and advice points for digital services, including the expansion of existing public structures or the creation of new agent networks. (3) Coaching and mentoring in the use of digital solutions strengthens the digital business skills of informal micro-entrepreneurs. Trained mentors support micro-entrepreneurs in their day-to-day operations. In addition to a strong focus on women entrepreneurs, men are also involved in activities to raise awareness of gender equality issues and to engage them as agents of change.