Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that delay digital adoption risk missing future growth opportunities as technology rapidly becomes central to business survival and expansion.
This is according to Chief Marketing and Operations Officer at Npontu Technologies, Deborah Asmah who says many businesses wrongly assume digital transformation is expensive when the real cost lies in inefficiencies and missed opportunities.
Speaking on the on-air series of the 2026 Citi Business Festival with Nii Larte Lartey, she said digital transformation should not be viewed as expensive software deployment but as solving everyday business problems with accessible tools.
“People think tech is expensive because their focus is on the tool rather than on the solution you’re trying to implement.”
According to her, businesses already adopting mobile money, digital payments and messaging platforms have unknowingly started their digital journey.
She argued that poor inventory tracking, weak customer engagement and cash leakages often cost businesses more than adopting basic technology.
“If you’re not keeping track of your inventory and everything is on paper, you are losing more money than it will cost you to put in a simple tool.”
Deborah Asmah identified customer engagement, financial management, operations and inventory as the four immediate areas businesses should digitise.
She pointed to simple solutions including WhatsApp, accounting applications and AI-enabled customer support systems that can automate repetitive tasks and improve responsiveness.
“Your AI agent becomes your replica responding to common questions and even checking inventory.”
Looking ahead, she said artificial intelligence will become unavoidable for businesses.
“AI is going to that place where internet is today. You’re either on it or you are not part of the conversation.”
She added that businesses that establish digital systems today will be better positioned to tap into emerging opportunities in cross-border payments and regional commerce.
The 2026 Citi Business Festival is powered by 97.3 Citi FM and Channel One TV in partnership with Absa Bank and sponsored by Absa Bank, MTN, Zonda Tec Ghana Limited and Petra Trust.
