Some Frequently Asked Questions about the NBSSI COVID-19 Relief Fund

The NBSSI Mastercard Foundation Recovery and Resilience Program for MSMEs has been set up to provide financial and business advisory support to MSMEs and start-ups weather the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Below are some of the Frequently Asked Questions about the NBSSI COVID-19 Relief Fund.

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Table of Contents

Who is eligible to apply for funding?

All Ghanaian-owned businesses, registered or unregistered are eligible to apply for funding.

Can I apply if I am not Ghanaian?

Non-Ghanaians are not qualified to apply. However, if your company has a Ghanaian shareholder with over 50% ownership of the company, it may apply.

Can I apply if I have no audited financial statements?

Yes. You will be required to provide basic information on your business such as total revenue/sales and total expenses, but do not need to have documents prepared by an accountant.

When can businesses apply?

Businesses can start applying from September 16th, 2020 and will continue for 1 month or until the funds run out.

When will the programme application window be closed?

The final application closing date will depend on the number of applicants and amounts requested. We expect all financing requests to be disbursed, and the application process to be closed by the end of October 2020 or when the funds run out.

Can I apply for funding twice?

No. You cannot apply twice.

Do I need collateral/security to apply?

No. You do not need any collateral to apply.

Must I have a TIN to apply?

Businesses and Individuals must have a Tax Identification Number (TIN) as mandated by law. Visit https://gra.gov.gh/tin to apply for a TIN or visit the nearest Ghana Revenue Authority office, if you do not already have a TIN.

How can I apply for the fund?

There are several avenues to apply for the fund: visit our website: nbssi.gov.gh/recoveryprogram; or call the NBSSI Helpline on 030 274 7777 ; or visit the nearest NBSSI district office (Business Advisory Centre) for help.

Which documents do I need to provide with my application?

The only document required during the application process is a copy of your ID. However, you will also need a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). If your business is a small or medium sized enterprise you may also be asked to provide a SSNIT Employer Registration Number, and additional financial information on your business.

How much (amount) am I eligible to apply for?

The amount for which a business is eligible will depend on its size and how much revenue it generates. Businesses will be categorized as Micro, Small, Medium Enterprise or a Start-Up.

Entity	Number of Employees	Annual Revenue Range (GHS)
LOWER MICRO	1-5	0 – 20,000
UPPER MICRO	1-5	25,001 – 135,000
LOWER SMALL	6-16	135,001 – 1,500,000
UPPER SMALL	17-29	1,500,001 – 3,000,000
MEDIUM	30 – 99	3,000,001 – 5,000,000
	Years in Business
START-UPS	0 – 2	0 – 500,000

Can applicants stop and resume application at any time?

You can only SAVE an application after you enter in your Personal Information and are on the Business Information page. This is so we can capture your phone number to use as verification of your identity. Note: Please use a Genuine Phone Number. As doing so will allow you to log into the Client Portal. You can save your application and resume at any time you are ready to continue by visiting https://nbssi.gov.gh/recoveryprogram and clicking on SIGN IN. You will need to use the phone number you used when you started the application process to sign in.

How do I check my application status?

The application system has a secure Client Portal that allows applicants to view the status of their applications. Access to the Client Portal is via https://ghrecoveryprogram.com/app/registration/login

How long does the approval & disbursement process take?

The approval and disbursement process should take four weeks but may extend if further procedures are needed to process the application.

How will I be notified if my application is approved?

Applicants will be notified via SMS, email or a phone call. Please don’t pay money to anyone while you wait to hear from us.

Do I have to pay any money for the NBSSI/Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery Program?

No. NBSSI does not charge any application fees for this Program. However, if your loan request is approved, you will pay interest and repay the principal amount according to the terms of the loan agreement.

Can two or more businesses with the same owner apply for funding from this fund?

No. If two or more businesses have the same owner only one of those businesses may apply under this fund.

Can I access a loan to start a new business venture?

No. This fund seeks to provide relief to businesses that have been in operation for at least 6 months before date of application.

Is this fund the same as the Government of Ghana CAP Business Support Scheme?

No. This program is funded by the Mastercard Foundation.

Will a business be eligible for this fund if they have already accessed funding from the Government of Ghana CAP Business Support Scheme?

No, a beneficiary to the Government of Ghana CAP Business Support Scheme (i.e. a business that has received funds from that program) cannot apply to for funding from the NBSSI Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery Program.

How do I make an official complaint about my problem?

If you have any issue with the system or process, please visit the Client Portal via this website – https://ghrecoveryprogram.com/app/registration/login and Sign In into your account. Once you sign into your account you can send a message to the Customer Support team by clicking on Messages button. You can also call the Helpline at 0302 747 775 if you would like to speak to someone.

Can I apply for funding if I am not a part of an association?

Yes. You do not have to be a member of an association to apply.

Can associations apply on behalf of their members?

No. However, we encourage associations to inform their members about this fund.

Where can I register as a client of NBSSI?

You can register as a client of NBSSI at our Business Advisory Centres (BACs) located within the districts across Ghana.

How much do I need to pay for the NBSSI Client registration?

Note, effective 24th May 2020, all NBSSI client registration fees have been waived to help lessen the burden on MSMEs affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. For more enquiries, visit the Help Desk at https://nbssi.gov.gh/become-nbssi-client/ or call the Call Centre Helpline on 0302 747 775 or visit the nearest NBSSI Business Advisory Centre.

How can I contact NBSSI for further details?

Applicants seeking further clarification can call the NBSSI Call Centre on 0302 747 775.

Do I need to have a bank account or an account with the Program’s financial partners before I can apply?

No, you do not need to have a bank account or an account with the Program’s financial partners to apply for funds.

Do I need to open an account with Opportunity International or the rural/community banks before I submit my application?

No, you do not need to have an account with a partner institution to submit an application.

What picture ID should I use and submit?

You should take a picture of your government issued ID such as Passport, Voter’s Registration Card and Driver’s License. Do not submit passport pictures or personal pictures.

Are there any fees or interest rates associated with loans from this relief programme?

Yes. The interest rate on all loans is 8% per annum. There will also be a one time processing fee of 1.5% of the loan amount.

CAUTION: APPLICATION FOR THE MASTERCARD FOUNDATION COVID-19 RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY PROGRAM SUPPORT SCHEME IS FREE. APPLICANTS ARE TO BE MINDFUL OF FRAUDSTERS PURPORTING TO ASSIST APPLICANTS FOR A FEE.