24-Hour Economy: Young Ghanaians set to benefit from GH¢500,000 loans

President John Mahama has described the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme (24H+) as “a holistic, integrated multisectoral programme that allows our producers to tackle the key bottlenecks holding back production in agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, and the creative industries.”

According to a Graphic Online report on May 13, 2026, the initiative will enable young Ghanaians between the ages of 18 and 35 to apply for start-up business loans ranging from GH¢5,000 to GH¢500,000.

Beneficiaries will also receive free digital skills training and guaranteed internship opportunities.

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The programme is inviting applications from young people, farmers, investors, traders, and manufacturers interested in opportunities in agro-ecological parks, pharmaceutical innovation, textile manufacturing, air cargo logistics, and the creative arts sector.

As part of the youth-focused interventions, applicants will benefit from free digital skills training at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres across all 16 regions, internships with 24H+ partner companies, and access to start-up financing.

Concessionary financing will be provided through Development Bank Ghana, while equity funding support will be made available through Venture Capital Trust Fund, with priority given to cooperatives and trade associations.

The programme also offers incentives for participating businesses. These include reduced corporate income tax for companies operating two-shift and three-shift systems, priority access to electricity and water, import tax exemptions on machinery and raw materials not available locally, VAT relief for firms in strategic sectors, export performance rebates, and geographic tax relief packages for young entrepreneurs in manufacturing, ICT, agro-processing, and tourism.

Other opportunities currently open for registration include becoming a 24/7 Ready! Business, serving as an Anchor Farmer in an Agbledu Agro-Ecological Park, establishing an agro-processing facility, operating as a transporter on the Volta Lake, registering interest in the Wumbei Industrial Park, participating in the Tamale Air Cargo Hub, joining the Akosombo Textiles and Garments Park, taking part in the Legon Pharmaceutical Innovation Park, and enrolling in the National Creators’ Academy.

Interested applicants can submit their expressions of interest through the official 24H+ Programme website by selecting the “Expression of Interest” form under the Contact Us section.

SO/MA

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