Leverage social media for business growth - Stanbic Bank urges women entrepreneurs

In Ghana, the imperative for women entrepreneurs to harness the full potential of social media for business advancement is becoming increasingly clear. Stanbic Bank, through its Head of Women Banking, Marian Amartey, has highlighted a critical gap: while many women are present online, they often treat social media as a casual space rather than a powerful business tool. This perspective, shared during the MTN SME Accelerate Webinar Series, underscores a missed opportunity for visibility, customer acquisition, and crucially, access to finance. Financial institutions, Amartey notes, increasingly scrutinize online footprints before engaging with businesses. Therefore, a passive or inconsistent online presence can significantly limit growth prospects. The Ghanaian business environment, like many others, is rapidly digitizing, and for women-led enterprises to thrive, a strategic and professional digital presence is no longer optional but essential. This advice resonates deeply within a local context where women entrepreneurs often face unique challenges in securing capital and market access, making digital tools a vital equalizer.

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Social media presence is no longer optional; it plays a key role in validating what you do as a business. Sometimes, before engaging you, financial institutions will check your online footprint. If you are not visible or intentional about your presence, you limit the information available for decision-making