Supporting Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Ghana

Enterprise development is fundamental to supporting the ability of populations in our host countries to maintain sustainable livelihoods.

At Tullow, we have two core areas of focus: (1) to assist local enterprises to gain the skills and opportunities to develop and grow their income, and (2) to enhance their access to finance. These aims are aligned with our Shared Prosperity objectives and are an essential element of our positive impact in our host countries.

In Ghana, together with our Joint Venture (JV) partners, we continue to support micro, small and medium sized enterprises (mSMEs) through the Fisherman’s Anchor project which enables beneficiaries, dependent upon the fishing industry, to access finance to develop additional sources of revenue. Since 2019, over 1,000 small businesses and individuals have received training and business development support.

A total loan amount of over $300,000 (as at May 2022) has been granted to 980 women fish processors and 6 women-led mSMEs, 65 canoe owners and 2 agriculture businesses. In addition:

• 82% of loans to were granted to fish processors, mainly women, with the remainder to canoe owners and others  
• There have been zero defaults on loan repayments
• 34 businesses have expanded outside Western Region 
• 20 businesses have purchased new equipment 
• 39 businesses have seen increased production                      
• 30 businesses have increased sales
• 17 new businesses have been established 
• 27 businesses have grown their workforce

Optimising local content and creating the conditions for local companies to participate in our supply chain, as well as increasing their contribution towards regional and national economies, is an integral part of our Shared Prosperity strategy.

To improve the capabilities of indigenous companies and enhance their readiness to compete for Tullow’s business, we have advanced three initiatives in Ghana: the Tullow Supplier Finance Readiness Programme, Tullow Supplier Mentorship and Training Programme, and Supplier training workshops delivered through the Petroleum Commission/Tullow Business Academy partnership.

We launched the Tullow Supplier Finance Readiness Programme, in partnership with Invest in Africa (IIA), to run over a ten-month period. The programme provides business and financial advisory support to suppliers adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first stage in 2021, 150 local suppliers participated in training on funding sources and loan terms and management. In the second stage, running in 2022, 37 local businesses have received customised business/financial advisory support to address their specific business needs including development of business continuity plans, cashflow projections, risk management frameworks, corporate governance manuals, and financial management support, etc.