
Accra, Ghana has a population of 5.5 million — and over 2 million small and medium-sized businesses. These SMEs employ most of the workforce and generate nearly 70% of the country’s GDP, but the majority can’t access credit or reliable tools to scale.
In this episode, host Mayuri Reddy speaks with Marie-Reine Seshie, founder & CEO of Kola Market, about how her platform is changing that. Marie-Reine shares her journey from banking and policy to building a tech company that de-risks lending for small businesses, supports women entrepreneurs, and empowers Ghana’s next generation of founders.
Expect insights on:
The realities of entrepreneurship in Accra
Building trust with small shop owners and traders
Why SMEs are the real engine of Africa’s economies
What global investors often miss when entering Ghana
Her hopes for the future of women-led business in West Africa
To reach Marie-Reine, you can email her at marie.reine@kola.market, via linkedin and/or through Kola Market's website.
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