The Opplift Youth Entrepreneurs Summit 2026, held at the British Council Auditorium in Accra, Ghana, brought together young entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry experts. The summit's theme, "Build to Thrive: Equipping Young Entrepreneurs for Success in Ghana," aimed to explore ways to build sustainable businesses and create economic opportunities for young people. The event was designed to provide participants with practical knowledge, insights, and mentorship opportunities to help them build and grow sustainable businesses.
The summit commenced with a welcome message from Kris Asleson, Founder of Opplift, and opening remarks from Nana Mensah, Team and Country Lead for Opplift. They highlighted the potential of young talents and the need to support and equip them with resources and mentorship to build sustainable businesses. The first session featured Guest Speaker Ekow Mensah, who urged entrepreneurs to be intentional about using their time and resources while recognizing the value of their skills.
Ekow Mensah shared key lessons, including the importance of avoiding relationships and activities that do not contribute to one's purpose, understanding the value of time, mastering the art of selling, and knowing when to engage professionals to handle specialized aspects of a business. The second session focused on "Effective Use of Social Media by Startup Businesses" and was delivered by Stephen Naasei Boadi, a seasoned Marketing Consultant.
The session examined how startups can use social media effectively as a tool for visibility, communication, customer engagement, and business growth. A panel discussion involving business leaders and industry experts, including Richard Ohene Sika, Josephine Toudeka, and Eugene Wilson Ocran, shared their entrepreneurial experiences and insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with building businesses in Ghana.
The panel session, moderated by Ms Valerie Danso, enabled panellists to share their journeys, challenges, and tips on what it takes to move from starting a business to building one that survives and grows. A major highlight of the summit was the unveiling of 12 young beneficiaries selected to receive seed funding, logistical support, and mentorship to establish their ventures.
This intervention reinforces Opplift's belief that youth entrepreneurship must be supported with practical resources and guidance if young people are to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to job creation. The summit also created an avenue for young entrepreneurs to network, exchange experiences, and connect with individuals and organizations within Ghana's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The summit will be held annually, with subsequent editions continuing to provide young entrepreneurs with access to practical knowledge, mentorship, skills development, and opportunities to support business growth. The event was supported by Immix Law Group, Flyrise, Launchava, Patch Pro, and the Council of Entrepreneurs. The success of the maiden summit marks the beginning of a broader effort to support hardworking young people with the tools and opportunities needed to lift themselves out of poverty and contribute to Ghana's economic growth.
Key points
- The summit provided practical knowledge, mentorship, and support systems to help young entrepreneurs build and grow sustainable businesses.
- 12 young beneficiaries were selected to receive seed funding, logistical support, and mentorship to establish their ventures.
- The summit will be held annually to continue providing young entrepreneurs with access to practical knowledge, mentorship, and opportunities to support business growth.
