Young entrepreneurs across Ghana are being offered access to business loans of between GH₵5,000 and GH₵500,000 under the government’s newly launched 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, widely known as 24H+.
The initiative is also rolling out free digital skills training and guaranteed internship placements for Ghanaians aged 18 to 35 as part of efforts to support job creation and expand local enterprise.
Applications are currently open through the Expression of Interest portal on 24hplus.gov.gh, where farmers, traders, investors, manufacturers and young business owners can register for opportunities linked to agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, logistics and the creative economy.
For young people, the package includes tuition-free digital training programmes at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres across all 16 regions. Participants will also have access to internships with partner companies under the 24H+ programme and can apply for start-up financing ranging from GH₵5,000 to GH₵500,000.
The programme further provides concessionary funding through Development Bank Ghana, while equity financing will be available via the Venture Capital Trust Fund. According to the initiative, cooperatives and trade associations will receive priority consideration.
President John Dramani Mahama has described 24H+ as “a holistic, integrated multisectoral programme that allows our producers to attack the key bottlenecks holding production back in agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, and the creative industries.”
Businesses that sign onto the programme are also expected to benefit from a series of incentives aimed at boosting production and investment. These include reduced Corporate Income Tax rates for companies operating two or three shifts, priority access to utilities such as electricity and water, exemptions on import taxes for machinery and raw materials unavailable locally, VAT relief in selected sectors, export rebates and location-based tax incentives.
Young entrepreneurs operating in sectors such as manufacturing, ICT, agro-processing and tourism are also expected to enjoy tax-free periods during the early years of operation.
The portal additionally allows applicants to register interest in several large-scale projects under the programme, including the Agbledu Agro-Ecological Park, the Wumbei Industrial Park, the Tamale Air Cargo Hub, the Akosombo Textiles and Garments Park, the Legon Pharmaceutical Innovation Park and the National Creators’ Academy.
Other opportunities include becoming an Anchor Farmer, setting up agro-processing facilities, operating transport services on the Volta Lake and joining the government’s 24/7 Ready! Business initiative.
Interested applicants are required to visit www.24hplus.gov.gh and complete the Expression of Interest Form under the Contact Us section.
The 24H+ Secretariat says more opportunities will be added to the platform in later phases of the programme, Graphic Online reported.
