Local Partnership Expands Access to Business Information for Ghanaian Entrepreneurs
For many entrepreneurs in Ghana, growing a business is not only about access to funding. The biggest challenge is knowing where to find the right information and understanding how to navigate regulatory systems that are often complex and difficult to access. From business registration and tax compliance to product certification and government support programmes, many small businesses struggle to understand the processes required to operate formally and competitively. Important information is frequently spread across different platforms, written in technical language, or buried in long policy documents that many entrepreneurs simply do not have the time or expertise to interpret.
To help address this challenge, mNotify Company Limited, in partnership with the Digital Transformation for Inclusive Entrepreneurship in Ghana (DTEG) project, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, developed the Ghana Entrepreneurship Policy Chatbot (GEPBot).
The platform was created to make business and regulatory information easier to access by entrepreneurs through a simple conversational interface. Rather than searching through multiple websites or policy documents, users can ask direct questions and receive simplified guidance on issues such as business registration, compliance requirements, standards, incentives, and entrepreneurship support programmes.
Ronald Tagoe is the CEO of mNotify and he shares his personal experience.
“I always thought about how I started as a student entrepreneur. There was a lot of trial and error and a lot of trying to figure things out on your own. Along the line, I realised we lacked structure and information.”
Like many business owners, he experienced the consequences of limited access to information firsthand.
“I needed a tax clearance certificate, but I did not have proper records of tax payments, and eventually I had to pay penalties that could have been avoided,” says Roland.
Experiences like these are common among many small businesses in Ghana, particularly startups and informal enterprises trying to formalise their operations or access larger market opportunities. In many cases, entrepreneurs only discover compliance requirements after facing delays, penalties, or missed business opportunities.
GEPBot was designed to help bridge this gap by providing entrepreneurs with verified and locally relevant information in a more accessible format. Unlike many public AI tools that pull information from across the internet, GEPBot was developed using verified information from institutions such as the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC), the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA). This allows the platform to provide responses that are more relevant to Ghana’s business environment and regulatory systems. The platform also simplifies technical language into practical guidance that entrepreneurs can more easily understand and apply to their businesses.
“When I started my food business, I had no idea what documents were required for FDA approval. The chatbot explained the process clearly and made it less intimidating.” - Nafisah Duada
“As a small business owner, I didn’t even know some of the compliance requirements existed until I interacted with the chatbot. It has helped me become more intentional about operating formally.”- Haruna Sorku
“This is a game changer for entrepreneurs because it provides quick and reliable answers without always needing to visit physical offices.”- Kofi Bediako
Since its launch, GEPBot has continued to see growing interest from entrepreneurs seeking easier access to business support information. The platform has processed more than 5,000 messages since November 2025, with increasing usage month after month.
“I appreciate that the chatbot not only focuses on compliance but also shares opportunities like grants, training programs, and support initiatives.”- Nii Arday Ardayfio
"Found the chatbot helpful, providing more information than my direct interaction with the FDA" - Mary Ama Nketsiah
The next phase of development will focus on expanding the platform’s functionality beyond information sharing. Planned features include support for filling out forms, generating printable documents, and introducing voice-based interaction in local languages to improve accessibility for users with limited literacy or internet access.
Through the partnership with GIZ, mNotify adopted a more structured and collaborative development process, working closely with entrepreneurs, public institutions, and ecosystem actors to validate the platform and ensure it addressed real user needs. The collaboration also strengthened internal processes within the mNotify, particularly around accountability, documentation, and inclusive product development.
According to the team, one of the important lessons from the partnership was the need to intentionally consider accessibility from the beginning, including support for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and the use of local languages to ensure broader inclusion.
The GEPBot demonstrates how collaboration between local technology companies, development partners, and public institutions can contribute to practical digital solutions that respond to everyday challenges faced by entrepreneurs.
