NEIP opens application for Business Support Program

In a bid to reduce the unemployment rate in the country, the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP) under the Ministry of Business Development in collaboration with Africa SME Organization and China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) is calling on prospective applicants or businesses to enter applications for the Business Support Program.

The Business Support Program is an initiative by NEIP and its private sector implementation partner; African SME and CEIBS, to support unemployed Ghanaian youth through training and funding for them to be able to set up their own businesses or rather boost their existing ones.

Speaking at the launch of the program on November 2 at the YALI Centre-GIMPA, CEO of NEIP John Kumah said the program is expected to run for a period of 4 years and is eligible to all Ghanaian applicants where age will not be a restriction.

According to him, anyone can apply provided he has a business idea regardless of the age whether being below or above 18.



Chief Executive Officer of Africa SME, Yaw Asamoah said with the seed capital of $10 million given to support the program, government tasked them to scale it up to $100 million which they will achieve because it is their aim to change the narrative of putting people to work.

He further indicated the selection won’t be based on the political colour of a person as speculated but rather be based on the business ideas one brings because their focus is on unemployed Ghanaian youth.

Application opens today, November 2 and ends on the 3rd of December 2017. About 2000 people are expected to apply for the business support program where it will then sift to at least 500 where they will be trained by going through about 3 stages before they get their funds to run their businesses.

Mr. Asamoah further explained that people can still come for the training even if they didn’t apply for the program and won’t be given funds for their businesses.

The application is free and can only be done online.

a. How to apply

All applicants are requested to complete a detailed application form at www.neip.gov.gh or www.africansme.org.

The application can be submitted online or printable form which can be scanned and submitted via enquiries@neip.gov.gh. Applicants are requested to submit duly filled.

b. Selection procedure

Stage 1: Submission of Bio-Data and brief business idea Training of all applicants which will include Business Plan writing, developing of Business models and developing and presenting a Business Pitch.

Stage 2: Submission of a 5 page (font size 12 new times roman) business plan Training of Applicants to further enhance business plan and coaching on how to pitch your business.

Stage 3 Submission of a 20-page business plan and a 60-second video pitch. – Final selection by

c. Eligibility criteria

Any Ghanaian.