ICC and TikTok Launch Digital Commerce Lab to Support Ghanaian SMEs

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and TikTok have officially launched the Digital Commerce Lab (DCL) in Ghana to strengthen the digital capability and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Lab aims to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills, and tools to turn digital opportunities into sustainable businesses. This initiative was launched in Accra, with various stakeholders in attendance.

According to Mr. Mohamed Samara, Acting Chair of ICC Ghana, the DCL was created to train SMEs, young entrepreneurs, and women-led businesses with practical skills in content creation, digital marketing, online storefront management, and customer engagement. The Lab will also link Ghanaian businesses to international standards, trade finance expertise, and export opportunities through the ICC global network, supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Mr. Samara emphasized that commerce has evolved from traditional marketplaces to mobile phones, with millions of Ghanaians using mobile applications to discover products, trust creators, and make purchases within minutes. He noted that while access to digital platforms is crucial, it is not enough; visibility without capability is a missed opportunity. Many young entrepreneurs have talent and products but lack digital skills, knowledge of cross-border trade, access to payment systems, and understanding of compliance and customer trust.

Ms. Tholoana Ncheke-Mahlaela, Government Relations and Public Policy Lead for TikTok, stated that the Lab is designed to ensure Ghanaian SMEs are not just visible online but also commercially stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the future. She emphasized that TikTok provides a platform for businesses to tell their stories and build customer connections, while ICC brings global business expertise to the table.

Mohammed Adams Sukparu, Deputy Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, who performed the official launch, commended ICC Ghana and TikTok for the initiative. He noted that Ghana's next phase of economic growth depends significantly on harnessing technology to create businesses, expand markets, and generate employment. The initiative aligns with President John Mahama's broader economic transformation agenda, including the One Million Coders Programme and the 24-hour economy agenda.

Mr. Sukparu outlined four key outcomes for the partners: practical skills development, business sustainability, access to markets and finance, and measurable impact in terms of jobs and income. He called on the youth to embrace the initiative, advising them to build businesses rather than just chase followers, and to create value rather than just content. He also appealed that the benefits must not be concentrated in Accra but must reach young people, women-owned enterprises, and rural entrepreneurs across all 16 regions.

The launch of the Digital Commerce Lab is expected to have a positive impact on Ghana's economy, particularly in the areas of entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic growth. The initiative is also expected to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, which are critical to Ghana's economic development. Key points of the initiative include enhancing digital capabilities of SMEs, providing practical skills development, and increasing access to markets and finance.

Key points

• The Digital Commerce Lab aims to equip entrepreneurs with knowledge, skills, and tools to turn digital opportunities into sustainable businesses.
• The initiative aligns with President John Mahama's broader economic transformation agenda, including the One Million Coders Programme and the 24-hour economy agenda.
• The launch of the Digital Commerce Lab is expected to have a positive impact on Ghana's economy, particularly in the areas of entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic growth.