March 2026

• Experts meet from March 23–26 ahead of ministerial decisions on March 27 
• Discussions focus on telecom harmonization, digital regulation and regional infrastructure 
• Outcomes expected to support ECOWAS digital single market and cross-border services 

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has convened technical experts in Freetown, Sierra Leone, from March 23 to 26, 2026, as part of a policy process aimed at accelerating digital integration across the region. According to ECOWAS, the meeting brings together specialists in telecommunications, ICT policy and digital transformation to develop recommendations that will be submitted to ministers for adoption on March 27. The discussions focus on regulatory harmonization, infrastructure development and frameworks to support digital services across member states.

The consultations come as ECOWAS advances plans to establish a regional digital single market, an initiative endorsed by stakeholders in early 2026. According to regional authorities, the objective is to align national regulations, improve interoperability of digital systems and reduce barriers to cross-border digital services within the bloc.

Fragmentation remains a major constraint to digital growth in West Africa. Differences in licensing regimes, spectrum allocation, data governance and taxation continue to limit the expansion of telecom operators, fintech firms and digital platforms across borders. Harmonized rules as stated by officials are expected to lower operational costs, improve market access and encourage investment in regional digital infrastructure.

According to the World Bank, digital technologies could contribute substantially to economic growth in Africa, with increased broadband penetration linked to higher GDP growth rates and productivity gains. In West Africa, expanding access to digital services is also seen as a key driver for financial inclusion and SME development.

ECOWAS officials indicate that the digital single market initiative is designed to support cross-border trade, particularly in sectors such as e-commerce and digital financial services. The framework aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area, which seeks to facilitate intra-African trade and the movement of goods and services across the continent.

Key policy areas under discussion include telecom infrastructure sharing, regional roaming frameworks, cybersecurity standards and data protection rules. These measures are intended to create a more predictable regulatory environment for private sector investment while improving access to digital services for businesses and consumers.

The Freetown meeting is part of ECOWAS’ institutional process for developing regional policy, where technical recommendations are reviewed and adopted at ministerial level before implementation by member states. The outcomes of the March 27 session are expected to shape the bloc’s digital policy direction in the coming years.

Source: www.ecofinagency.com

More than 300 youths graduated from the Huawei DigiTruck programme in Chuka, Tharaka-Nithi County, in a significant boost to Kenya’s efforts to bridge the digital divide and equip young people with market-ready skills.

The training, delivered through a mobile digital classroom, is part of a partnership between Huawei Technologies Kenya and the Government of Kenya, targeting underserved communities with hands-on instruction in basic software applications, internet use and digital tools for entrepreneurship and employment.

The graduation, held at Chuka DCC Grounds, was presided over by Hillars Olemoke , Director in the Department of Fisheries and Blue Economy, who represented Principal Secretary Betsy Njagi.

He said the initiative is aligned with government efforts to empower youth through digital literacy and innovation.

Mr. Olemoke noted that digital skills are increasingly critical in unlocking opportunities across sectors such as banking, security and the global online job market.

“This is the era of digital literacy. Young people can leverage these skills to access global opportunities and create their own employment,” he said.

He urged the graduates to apply the skills learnt responsibly and effectively, adding that the government has established digital hubs to support continuous learning and innovation.

He further revealed that, in collaboration with partners, plans are underway to equip the hubs with laptops and other resources to ensure sustainability of the programme.

“The government is committed to supporting the youth. We will continue working with partners to ensure these skills translate into meaningful opportunities,” he added.

Huawei Kenya Public Affairs Director, Yuta Leng, said the DigiTruck initiative aims to enhance digital inclusion nationwide, with plans to expand training to all 47 counties.

She noted that more graduations are expected, including one in Kisumu later this year, as the programme scales up its reach.

“We are committed to leaving no one behind in this digital era by equipping young people with essential skills for innovation, productivity and competitiveness,” she said.

A beneficiary of the programme, Allan Munene, said the training had equipped him s practical digital skills that will enable him to pursue new opportunities and improve his livelihood’s.

He encouraged fellow youth to take advantage of such initiatives, noting that digital skills are increasingly vital in today’s job market.

Source : www.kenyanews.go.ke

Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson has filed applications to register three trademarks in Russia related to heating, cooling, and ventilation, a TASS correspondent has learned.

The trademark applications, one of which uses the company name in Cyrillic, were submitted to the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) on March 23, 2026, by Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson of Sweden. The trademarks are intended for Class 11 of the International Classification of Goods and Services, which covers heating, cooling, and ventilation devices.

Earlier, Rospatent head Yuri Zubov told TASS that well-known foreign brands aim to secure both registration and renewal of their trademarks in Russia. He explained that trademarks protect against counterfeiting, ensuring that no one sells products under the brand’s name. Trademark holders are also interested in preserving their reputation, even if the local market—here, Russia—is temporarily inaccessible.

Ericsson suspended operations in Russia in 2022. In 2023, it halted purchases from domestic and foreign suppliers, stopped providing services to external clients, closed all local branches, and reduced its staff by 99%, providing severance payments. In 2024, the company continued terminating contracts with service providers.

Source : www.caliber.az

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has urged Ghanaians to fully participate in the upcoming SIM card re-registration exercise.

Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, March 24, Mr. George said it is important for all users of telecom services to take part in the process once it is rolled out.

“It’s advisable for everybody to ensure that when we roll out the registration process, you take part in it. Bearing in mind that you took part in a system that traumatised people—people queued for days—but now you have a system that will allow you to do this in the comfort of your home. The process will be mandatory for the use of telecom services in the country,” he stated

The minister also announced that the government expects to roll out the re-registration exercise in the third quarter of this year.

“I’m confident that in the third quarter of this year—anytime between July, August, and September—we will definitely be in a good position to roll out,” he said.

Source: www. citinewsroom.com

Ghana’s Minister for  Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, and Bank of Ghana (BoG) Governor Dr Johnson P. Asiama on Tuesday jointly signalled the government’s determination to position fintech at the heart of the country’s economic transformation agenda, speaking at the press launch of the 2026 3i Africa Summit in Accra.

Sam George said the Mahama administration had moved away from fragmented digital programmes toward a coordinated national framework underpinned by the Data Harmonisation Bill, broader affordable connectivity investments, and strengthened digital public infrastructure. He described fintech as a practical vehicle for inclusion, not an end in itself.

“Under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, Ghana’s digital transformation agenda is anchored on a people-centred approach where technology translates into tangible improvements in livelihoods,” he said. He added that upcoming reforms to the SIM registration framework would modernise digital identity systems and improve credit assessment within the digital lending space.

Dr Asiama used his keynote address to call for coordinated action across the continent, warning that no single country can build a transformative digital financial system in isolation. “Technology is fundamentally reshaping how value is created, transferred, and regulated. The decisions we take now will determine whether these changes become merely disruptive or truly developmental,” he said. He called specifically for interoperable payment systems, trusted digital infrastructure, and coherent regulatory frameworks across African markets.

The 3i Africa Summit 2026, themed “Shaping Africa’s Integrated Fintech Future”, is scheduled for May 6 to 8 in Accra. It is organised by the Bank of Ghana and Development Bank Ghana (DBG) in partnership with Elevandi, a subsidiary of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN). The summit is expected to convene heads of state, central bank governors, investors and innovators to chart the direction of Africa’s digital financial architecture and will feature a Digital Village showcasing Made-in-Ghana digital vendors operating exclusively through digital payment channels.

Source : www.newsghana.com.gh

With a few days to the final exhibition of student innovations as part of the Telecel Foundation’s DigiTech Academy across five regions, a team of students in Jirapa is putting finishing touches to a robot designed to help detect and fight bushfires in farming communities.

The third cohort of the Telecel Foundation’s DigiTech Academy, made up of 500 students from 19 schools with 70 per cent female participation, is now at the final project stage. In the coming days, students across five regions will present completed robotics, coding, and digital solutions during graduation ceremonies in their respective communities.

At the Commission Information Centre in Jirapa, one of two digital labs hosting the after-school programme in the Upper West municipality, 12-year-old Miltiades and her teammates are refining their final project ahead of graduation: a bushfire-fighting robot built to respond quickly when fires break out in vulnerable areas.

For Miltiades, a student at Ganaa Memorial Junior High School, the project is deeply personal. Nearly every dry season, bushfires sweep through farms on the outskirts of Jirapa, destroying crops and leaving many families counting losses. Her own family’s maize and shea farms have been affected several times.

Now, through the Telecel DigiTech Academy, she is helping design a practical response.

“With the robotics training Telecel Foundation is giving us, I want to build something useful,” Miltiades said. “At first, robotics felt difficult. The components and tools were confusing. But when I understood how they work, it became a session I enjoy every week.”

Their robot is intended to be stationed in fire-prone locations, where it can detect unusual heat or smoke, move toward the source of danger, and release water to contain the fire before it spreads. The team is also exploring how to integrate an alert system that sends signals directly to the fire service in Jirapa for rapid emergency response.

Across the digital lab, other student groups are equally focused as final presentations draw near. Some are assembling robotic systems for automatic irrigation, automated waste bins and grass-cutting devices, while others are developing digital platforms to support local commerce, including websites and e-commerce tools for promoting locally woven Fugu and Kente products.

As a way of strengthening the practical relevance of their bushfire solution, Miltiades’ team recently visited the local fire service station, where officers explained how fire alerts are received, the most common causes of bushfires in the municipality, and how response teams mobilise. The visit helped the students rethink how their robot could complement existing emergency systems rather than work in isolation.

Her father, Robert Dookure, a public health officer and farmer, says the idea reflects the reality many farming families face each year. He is encouraged that his daughter is already thinking beyond the classroom and applying technology to a challenge that affects their livelihood and many other families in the area.

“I am excited that Miltiades is working with her colleagues to build a bushfire solution. I think it must be coupled with education. Sometimes the fires are started by cattle herdsmen and game hunters on our farms. Awareness and education are equally important,” Mr Dookure added.

The DigiTech Academy is a 12-week practical learning programme in robotics, coding and website design delivered alongside the Ghana Education Service curriculum. The current cohort is being implemented in Peki in the Volta Region, Kormantse in the Central Region, Jirapa in the Upper West Region, Goaso in the Ahafo Region, and Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region

Since its launch in September 2024, the initiative has reached 2,300 students nationally.

Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, Head of Foundation, Sustainability and External Communications at Telecel Ghana, said the projects emerging from this year’s cohort demonstrate how digital education can help young people solve immediate community challenges.

“It’s inspiring to see young people turn their challenge into purpose and build a solution for their community because that’s the true power of digital education. Our aim with the Telecel DigiTech Academy is to nurture problem-solvers who are ready to transform and lead their communities with technology while closing the digital gap nationally.”

Miltiades hopes to become a doctor one day but says the programme is already teaching her how to identify problems, test ideas, and work with others to find solutions.

“If this solution is adopted and used, I think farmers will have bigger farms and yields. I am excited to be part of the Telecel DigiTech Academy to build something useful and relevant that solves my community’s problems.”

When graduation ceremonies begin at the end of March as the academic term ends, her team’s bushfire detection robot will be among the innovations unveiled.

Source : www.citinewsroom.com

The Ho Municipal Assembly has received Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) equipment from GIFEC to improve digital connectivity in underserved communities.

The intervention is aimed at addressing persistent network challenges affecting communication and access to digital services across parts of the municipality.

Mr Stephen Adom, the Municipal Chief Executive of Ho, said the equipment, which uses Real-time Transport Protocol technology, would enhance transmission of audio and video over internet networks for services such as virtual communication and streaming.

The beneficiary communities included Akoefe, Tokokoe, Hodzo, Avee, and Lume, where residents had long complained about weak and unreliable network access.

Mr. Adom noted that the support formed part of broader efforts to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusive development.

“This intervention will significantly improve communication and digital access in the beneficiary communities,” he stated.

He explained that improved connectivity would facilitate access to education, healthcare information, and business opportunities, particularly for young people and entrepreneurs.

Mr. Adom expressed appreciation to the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) for the support, describing it as timely and impactful.

He reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders to expand digital infrastructure and ensure equitable access to communication services.

He added that the initiative would contribute to socio-economic growth by enhancing information flow and connectivity across the municipality.

Source: gna.org.gh

Ericsson today announces the appointment of Siseko Ngxola as Head of Ericsson South Africa.

Ngxola has over 20 years of extensive experience in the telecommunications sector, having held various pivotal roles across different countries and industry segments. His career includes senior positions such as Head of Sales for Market Vertical and Enterprise, Sales Executive for Mobile Networks, and Strategic Account Manager. His background also includes valuable international exposure in markets such as the United Kingdom, Finland, and the Middle East, providing a global perspective on industry best practices.

Majda Lahlou Kassi, head of Ericsson West and Southern Africa, says, “Siseko has been a dedicated and critical part of our local leadership team for the past few years. His professionalism, expertise, and customer intimacy make him the ideal person to drive our vision for a more connected South Africa. This appointment highlights our commitment to nurturing local talent and reinforces our strategic focus on the market.”

Prior to this appointment, Ngxola was the key account manager at Ericsson and a key member of the Ericsson South Africa leadership team, which he joined in December 2024.

Ngxola concluded, “I am honored to lead Ericsson in South Africa during such an exciting time. The power of connectivity to transform lives and industries has never been more apparent. I look forward to working closely with our talented teams and valued partners to accelerate South Africa’s digital journey, strengthen our position in the market, and  deliver the innovative solutions our customers have come to expect from Ericsson.”

Source : www.itnewsafrica.com

The Chief Executive of Telecel Ghana, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai, has advised women seeking professional growth to redefine success beyond titles and public recognition and instead build their careers anchored on purpose and values.

Delivering the first keynote address on ‘Purpose-Driven Career Development’ to hundreds of women at the 2026 Woman Redefined Conference at the Wesley Towers in Accra, she urged the audience to view career development as a deliberate journey shaped by purpose, integrity and excellence.

Ing. Obo-Nai cautioned against defining success only through promotions, academic credentials or public recognition, arguing that external milestones often fail to provide long-term fulfilment if they are disconnected from purpose.

“Your career is the platform on which your purpose performs. It is the classroom where your character is tested and the pulpit from which your life speaks. Without aligning your career with your purpose, you can climb every career ladder and still feel empty or collect every certificate and still feel misplaced.”

The Woman Redefined Conference, organised by Reveal Impact Initiative, a non-profit organisation committed to transforming lives through literacy, education, and community empowerment, is a faith-based gathering organised under the theme ‘Healing, Empowerment, Purpose’. The day-long event convened diverse career professionals, ministers of faith and female leaders across sectors for keynote sessions, panel discussions and practical breakout sessions focused on identity, family, workplace influence and leadership.

Ing. Obo-Nai described living your purpose as a journey realised through responsibility, discipline and consistency, whether in leadership, business, family life or community roles. Throughout the keynote, Obo-Nai returned repeatedly to competence as a non-negotiable part of purpose. “You cannot speak about purpose and then neglect excellence. You cannot project leadership and be terrible at your job. The spirit of Christ is a spirit of excellence, and it must show in your actions,” she said.

She advised against treating values and performance as separate conversations, noting that credibility in leadership is often built through reliability and consistency, long before major opportunities arrive. “Your integrity is your most important asset. People may disagree with your decisions, but they will always respect your consistency. Let your actions and choices match your values. Standards will change when the world evolves but values remain static.”

Delivering the second keynote address, Rev. Mrs. Rosemond Anaba, Vice President of the Eastwood Anaba Ministries, encouraged women to embrace their uniqueness and tap into their full potential. She said “a woman redefined is a call to rediscover your unique identity, purpose and values, in line with God’s foundational design and intent for your life. Beyond finding your purpose, build discernment, a supportive network, substance and courage.”

The Woman Redefined Conference’s panel discussion featured the two keynote speakers, who were joined by Rev. Mrs. Catherine Onwioduokit, Founder of Family Renaissance International, and Rev. Dr. Mrs. Edem Sokpor, Executive Director of Deon & Noed International, to share relevant insights and advice on a range of questions from the audience.

Convenor of the conference, Rev. Anthony Dzadzra said the annual gathering was aimed at redefining womanhood through faith and purpose and amending the warped stereotypes of women formed by our culture and socialisation.

Source : www.thebftonline.com

MTN Ghana has launched the 2026 edition of its SME Accelerate programme, aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow and digitise their operations.

The year-long initiative was launched at MTN House on Friday, March 13, 2026, bringing together policymakers, industry players and entrepreneurs.

Chief Enterprise Officer of MTN Ghana, Angela Mensah-Poku, said the programme is part of efforts to strengthen SMEs, which she described as central to the country’s economy. “We are not here today just to launch a programme; we are here to continue a movement. For years, MTN has been your connection. Today, we are your catalyst,” she said.

She said this year’s edition will introduce SME Regional Clinics in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi to provide training in digital tools, financial management and mentorship.

In a recorded message, MTN Ghana Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Blewett, said the company aims to address barriers to SME growth through technology and financial systems. “As a technology and fintech platform operating on a national scale, we sit at a unique intersection of connectivity, financial services, data infrastructure and enterprise enablement. That position gives us both responsibility and opportunity. Our goal is to reduce the structural barriers that limit SME growth by enabling entrepreneurship through technology, strengthened business capability and investments in systems that support sustainable scale,” he said.

Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, said the initiative supports young entrepreneurs and private sector growth. “What drives entrepreneurs forward is the belief that something small can grow into something significant. Government can build the roads and create the legal framework, but it is the private sector that provides the vehicles that move on those roads. The MTN SME Accelerate programme is not just another initiative, it is a practical response to the aspirations of thousands of Ghanaian entrepreneurs who are determined to grow their businesses and compete in the modern digital economy,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, Margaret Ansei, said such programmes are needed to support business growth. “This is the type of initiative that Ghanaians need, a more of structured, private sector-led programmes designed to move businesses forward. When an SME grows, it does not grow alone. It pulls suppliers, employees, families and entire communities along with it,” she said.

The programme, now in its third edition, will include regional SME clinics, webinars, exhibitions and networking sessions. It will also target women, youth-led businesses, family-owned enterprises and persons with disabilities.

Dignitaries at the launch included a representative of UNDP, Seth Akomani, and President of Nova Business School Africa, Prof. Mathew Tsamenyi, among others.

Source: www.cedirates.com