Industry News

Chief Executive Officer of MobileMoney LTD, Shaibu Haruna, has been named Fintech CEO of the Year, in a recognition that highlights the growing strength of Ghana’s fintech industry on the global stage.

In a press statement congratulating Mr Haruna, MobileMoney LTD was also praised for winning the Fintech Largest and Most Valuable Platform award.

MTN Ghana also picked up major honours, winning the Largest and Most Valuable Platform award for Connectivity across Consumer and Enterprise.

According to the statement, the awards underscore the “incredible work being done in Ghana’s fintech and telecom sectors” and reflect progress toward the organisation’s vision “to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers.”

The statement further dedicated the awards to the staff of MobileMoney LTD and MTN Ghana, and to all stakeholders, acknowledging their contributions to making MoMo and MTN Ghana stand out internationally.

“A hearty congratulations to all other award winners and runner-ups,” the statement added.

SOURCE : www.myjoyonline.com

The Chief Executive of Telecel Group, Moh Damush, has called on African governments and regulators to ease cross-border payment systems to accelerate intra-African trade and deepen economic integration across the continent.

Speaking at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2026, Mr. Damush said seamless, affordable, and efficient digital payment platforms are critical to unlocking the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He noted that despite policy progress under the AfCFTA, payment bottlenecks continue to limit the ability of businesses to trade easily across borders.

“Through the expansion of cross-border payment corridors, for cross border payments interoperability we become enablers of regional integration, resilience, and inclusive economic growth”, he said.

Telecel Group, a leading pan-African telecommunications company, was a strategic partner to the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2026, reinforcing its commitment to driving digital connectivity, financial inclusion, and trade across Africa.

The partnership, according to the company, reflects its broader ambition to support conversations and solutions that promote economic growth and private-sector participation.

Addressing participants on the final day of the Dialogue, Mr. Damush emphasised that as a technology and communications enabler, Telecel is championing initiatives aimed at simplifying cross-border transactions and expanding market access for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

“We support entrepreneurship at scale through ASIP, our startup and innovation platform, enabling early-stage ventures to access mentorship, technology, networks, and markets. ASIP success stories reflect tangible impact, startups that have refined their products, expanded across borders, created thousands of jobs, and attracted follow-on investment; demonstrating how intentional support can translate innovation into sustainable growth”. 

He explained that improving payment interoperability will significantly reduce transaction costs and improve competitiveness for African businesses.

Mr. Damush further noted that enabling SMEs to trade beyond national borders is essential to inclusive growth under the AfCFTA framework, adding that collaboration between governments, regulators, and the private sector is key to achieving this goal.

Telecel says its partnership with the Africa Prosperity Dialogues aligns with its vision of connecting Africa, enabling digital transformation, and supporting sustainable economic growth across markets, positioning the company as a key player in Africa’s evolving digital and trade ecosystem.

SOURCE : www.myjoyonline.com

The Chief Executive Officer of Telecel Group, a leading African telecommunications operator, Moh Damush, has called for deliberate investment in digital connectivity and skills development across Africa, stressing that empowering SMEs, women, and young people is essential for sustainable economic growth on the continent.

Speaking at the Presidential and Business Leaders’ Dialogue during the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2026 in Accra, Mr Damush said Africa’s vast natural and human resources would remain underutilised without the digital infrastructure and skills needed to convert them into scalable economic solutions.

“Resources alone are like seeds kept in a jar, full of potential, but dormant,” he said. “It is knowledge, connectivity, and digital trade that turn them into solutions that transform lives.”

Mr Damush emphasised the importance of building a digital single market to unlock the full benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), noting its potential to serve a unified market of over 1.4 billion people through seamless cross-border payments, e-commerce, and data-driven trade.

According to him, Africa’s single market can only succeed if it is shaped from the grassroots by traders, creators, and innovators, particularly SMEs, women, and youth, who form the backbone of the continent’s economy.

“SMEs account for over 90 per cent of African businesses, while young people make up more than 60 per cent of our population. Yet too often, they are treated as beneficiaries rather than builders. Empowering SMEs, women, and youth is not charity; it is an economic necessity,” Mr Damush stated.

He noted that women-led businesses are 17 per cent more likely to adopt digital tools when cross-border trade barriers are reduced, highlighting connectivity as a critical enabler for women’s economic participation and youth innovation.

Telecel Group, which operates across several African countries with its largest presence in Ghana, is investing heavily in initiatives that promote digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, and skills development.

These include the Africa Start-Up Initiative Programme, DigiTech Academy, and Startocode, which aims to train 100,000 Ghanaian youth under the Government’s One Million Coders Programme. The company’s Women in Business initiative also supports women-led SMEs with access to digital tools, financing, and training.

The Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2026, held from 4th to 6th February at the Accra International Conference Centre, brought together heads of state, policymakers, business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and youth advocates under the theme: “Empowering SMEs, Women & Youth in Africa’s Single Market: Innovate. Collaborate. Trade.”

As Africa continues to grapple with high unemployment and uneven access to digital technologies, Mr Damush said closing the digital divide must be seen as both an economic and social imperative.

“Connectivity isn’t just an economic tool; it’s an equaliser. If we get this right, Africa will not simply prosper—it will redefine prosperity,” he concluded.

SOURCE: myjoyonline.com

Ghana’s telecommunications regulator has launched a public consultation on licensing third-party operators managing critical communications infrastructure, marking a significant regulatory shift in the country’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.

The National Communications Authority (NCA) announced on Thursday it is developing a framework to regulate managed services, targeting entities that operate network infrastructure or provide technical and operational support to licensed Electronic Communications Service Providers and Network Providers.

The proposed authorisation, to be designated the Electronic Communications Managed Service Licence, seeks to formalise oversight of a segment that has expanded substantially as operators increasingly outsource network operations, maintenance and specialised support functions.

The initiative proceeds under Section 27 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), and Section 4.1 of the National Telecommunications Policy, 2005, which empower the Authority to regulate emerging service models within the communications ecosystem.

The NCA has opened stakeholder engagement from February 6 to March 6, 2026, inviting views from licensed service providers, information and communication technology consumers and the general public on the draft licensing framework.

Following the consultation period, the regulator will publish outcomes and proceed with implementation.

The Authority said stakeholders are encouraged to provide detailed feedback, including specific areas of agreement or concern within the document.

Submissions must be sent electronically in Microsoft Word format to the Authority, accompanied by a completed response cover sheet.

In line with its transparency policy, the NCA noted that all submissions will be treated as non-confidential and published on its website.

Intellectual property contained in responses will be deemed licensed to the Authority for regulatory and legal purposes.

The proposed framework reflects the growing role of managed service providers in Ghana’s telecommunications market as operators increasingly rely on third parties for network management.

Industry analysts suggest formal licensing could improve accountability, service quality and network resilience while clarifying regulatory responsibilities across the value chain.

The move comes as Ghana’s telecommunications sector undergoes structural changes, with operators seeking operational efficiencies through partnerships with specialized infrastructure management companies.

Managed service providers typically handle tasks including network planning, deployment, optimization, fault management, customer experience monitoring and technical support on behalf of licensed operators.

The absence of specific licensing requirements for these entities has raised questions about regulatory oversight, quality assurance and accountability when service failures occur.

The consultation represents the NCA’s third major regulatory initiative in 2026, following earlier public engagements on Value Added Services Guidelines launched January 6 and the proposal to authorize the lower 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi 6 services announced January 8.

The Authority, established by Act 524 in December 1996 and reconstituted under the National Communications Authority Act, 2008 (Act 769), licenses and regulates electronic communications activities and services in Ghana.

Its mandate covers mobile and fixed networks, tower infrastructure, submarine cable landing, radio and television broadcasting.

Ghana currently has three mobile network operators: MTN Ghana, which holds Significant Market Power status in mobile voice, mobile data and short message service markets, AT Ghana and Vodafone Ghana.

The communications Infrastructure sector has three licensed tower companies: Helios Towers Ghana, Phoenix Towers Limited and American Tower Company.

Six submarine cable landing operators serve the country: Dolphin Telecom operating the Africa Coast to Europe cable, Glo-1, MainOne, Broadspectrum Limited, West African Cable System and South Atlantic Telecommunications Cable Number 3.

Broadcasting services comprise 728 authorized frequency modulation radio stations and 170 television stations as of the Authority’s latest published statistics.

Reverend Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko serves as Acting Director General of the NCA.

The Authority had signalled its intention to introduce managed services licensing during a May 2025 engagement with Ericsson, a major infrastructure vendor with substantial managed services operations across West Africa.

Once the consultation concludes, the NCA is expected to finalise the framework and outline next steps for implementation, marking a significant regulatory shift for infrastructure management in the communications sector.

source : www.newsghana.com.gh

The Telecel Ghana Foundation has conducted a free antenatal outreach as part of its Rural Ultrasound Scan initiative at the Gomoa Obuasi Model Health Centre. It provided ultrasound scans and essential maternal health services to 154 pregnant women in the Gomoa Central District of the Central Region.

The bimonthly outreach, targeted at rural and remote populations, aims to support early detection of pregnancy-related risks in communities where access to diagnostic imaging is limited or unavailable.

During blood-level testing and ultrasound scans, women identified as requiring additional medical attention were referred to the health centre’s antenatal unit for treatment to ensure they received the necessary specialised care and follow-up.

“Ultrasound scan costs are high for pregnant women in this district since they are conducted by private labs in the bigger towns.

“So, it is laudable that Telecel Foundation has organised today’s screening here. All women identified with risk factors will be closely monitored throughout their pregnancies,” said Eunice Kortey, the physician assistant in charge of the Gomoa Obuasi Model Health Centre.

In addition to diagnostics, health workers provided group education sessions on maternal nutrition, iron supplementation and the importance of consistent antenatal attendance. 

Women who were not already enrolled in antenatal care were registered on-site and linked to routine services at the health centre.

Sekina Hammond, a pregnant resident of Gomoa Obuasi, after receiving screening, said, “I am excited to know my unborn baby’s current state and to learn about the best foods to eat for my blood level and my baby. Also, they registered me at the antenatal clinic and told me when to come for my next visit.”

Rita Rockson, Head of Foundation, Sustainability and External Communications, said the bimonthly Rural Ultrasound outreach forms part of the Foundation’s Connected Health pillar and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 on Good Health and Well-being, which emphasises improving maternal health by increasing access to care for expectant women to reduce their mortality rate.

“This programme is about preventing avoidable pregnancy complications through early detection, education and continuity of care. It directly supports the global goal of reducing maternal mortality, especially in underserved communities,” Ms Rockson said.

As part of the initiative, maternal health workers educate expectant mothers on prenatal care, nutrition and the importance of regular antenatal visits, empowering them to take charge of their health.

Telecel Ghana also presented care packages containing essential newborn items to support the women as they prepare for childbirth and begin their motherhood journey.

Source: Myjoyonline

The Government of Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening legal and policy frameworks to support the country’s growing digital economy.

The Deputy Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mohammed Adams Sukparu, made this known on Thursday, January 29, 2026, while speaking on behalf of the sector minister, Samuel Nartey George, at the TechLaw Conference 2026 and the launch of AITLAP Africa at the University of Ghana School of Law.

Mr Sukparu described the convergence of law, technology and innovation as a defining force shaping Ghana’s development trajectory, noting that effective regulation is essential to harnessing the benefits of digital transformation while safeguarding the public interest.

He said the establishment of AITLAP Africa is timely and closely aligned with government efforts to strengthen regulatory frameworks in key areas, including financial technology (fintech), e-commerce, data protection, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

According to the Deputy Minister, close collaboration among legal professionals, technologists and policymakers is critical to ensuring that innovation remains inclusive, secure and globally competitive, particularly as digital solutions become central to economic growth and service delivery.

He highlighted artificial intelligence as an emerging driver of efficiency across sectors such as financial services, legal practice and public administration, stressing the importance of ethical standards and forward-looking legislation to guide its responsible adoption.

Mr Sukparu further reaffirmed the ministry’s open-door policy and pledged support for partnerships with AITLAP Africa to promote research, capacity building and public education on digital rights and emerging technologies.

He urged stakeholders in the legal and technology ecosystems to actively contribute to shaping Ghana’s digital future through informed dialogue, innovation and policy engagement.

Source: GBCghanaonline

Stakeholders have called for accelerated and synchronized national action to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse as digital adoption expands across Ghana, warning that fragmented interventions no longer suffice.

The appeal emerged from the National Online Safety Summit 2026, held in Accra from February 3 to 4, 2026 under the theme, “Closing the Gaps, Building a United Front Against Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Ghana”.

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA), in partnership with the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation and other collaborators, convened the two-day forum to align early education with effective enforcement and reposition online safety as foundational to sustainable digital development rather than reactive policy implementation.

Participants emphasized a transition from after-the-fact responses toward prevention-led strategies, stressing the need to integrate education, regulation and enforcement into a unified national framework. Stakeholders also called for closer collaboration among government agencies, law enforcement, schools, technology companies and civil society organizations.

The CSA identified key online risks confronting children in Ghana, including exposure to inappropriate content, sextortion and online grooming, noting that the scale and sophistication of threats continue expanding alongside internet access and social media use.

Acting Director-General Divine Selase Agbeti, delivering the keynote address, described child online protection as a national security priority. He called on parents to become digitally informed, schools to embed digital citizenship and safety literacy into curricula, and technology companies to strengthen safeguards and accountability mechanisms.

Agbeti stated the authority would intensify efforts to improve reporting and response systems, expand data-driven threat analysis and deepen multi-stakeholder collaboration to better anticipate and disrupt online harms targeting children.

Commissioner of Police Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), emphasized the importance of a victim-centred approach supported by robust legal frameworks and inter-agency partnerships. She stated effective prosecution and survivor support depend on coordinated intelligence, timely reporting and sustained cooperation across institutions.

Ghana established the CSA through the Cybersecurity Act 2020, which mandated the authority to combat cybercrimes including child online abuse. The legislation provides a legal framework for identifying and addressing online child sexual exploitation and abuse, enabling governmental measures to tackle the issue.

The Act operates through collaboration among government, the Ghana Police Service and the CSA, focusing on improving the cyber tip line and implementing notice-and-takedown procedures with telecommunication companies. The cyber tip line allows anonymous reporting of online issues including child exploitation or cybercrime, while notice-and-takedown procedures require online service providers to remove or block access to illegal content following formal requests.

Agbeti assumed leadership of the CSA in March 2025, bringing experience from strategic positions across global institutions including the British Army, Barclays Global Headquarters, the Bank of England and British Petroleum. His career spans over two decades, demonstrating expertise in cybersecurity risk management, regulatory compliance, governance frameworks and physical security intelligence.

Donkor was appointed CID Director-General in March 2025 and promoted to Commissioner of Police in July 2025. In August 2025, she was elected to the newly established INTERPOL Africa Regional Committee, becoming the first Ghanaian woman to serve on the body.

The summit sought to balance rapid digitalisation with stronger protections for vulnerable users, particularly children, amid rising concerns over cyber-enabled crimes. Organizers indicated that outcomes from the event would inform future policy and operational reforms aimed at closing enforcement gaps and strengthening national resilience against online abuse.

Ghana’s digital landscape has experienced unprecedented growth, with over 38.3 million cellular mobile subscribers and internet-enabled technologies now integrated into schools, businesses and households. The expansion in mobile connectivity fuels innovation across sectors including finance, healthcare, education and entertainment.

The CSA currently chairs the Alliance of National Cybersecurity Authorities, placing additional responsibility on Ghana to support peers across Africa in strengthening regulation, incident response and information sharing.

The authority has developed several initiatives to enhance cybersecurity awareness, including the National Cybersecurity Challenge event, an annual high school competition designed to elevate awareness of cybersecurity best practices among students, tackle vulnerability online and empower them with confidence, safety and responsibility to engage with digital technology.

Source: Newsghana

MTN Ghana has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with youth-led nonprofit organization Thrive and Shine to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and empower Ghanaian youth with skills needed to compete in the emerging digital economy.

The partnership, announced on Wednesday, February 5, 2026, marks a major step in AI literacy, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) empowerment and Ghana’s future digital workforce development. The MoU was signed on January 29, 2026, at MTN Ghana’s Head Office in Accra.

The collaboration aims to ensure Ghanaian youth are not left behind as the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence continues globally. The partnership will equip students with technical skills, problem solving capabilities and market-ready exposure needed to thrive in the digital economy.

Ibrahim Misto, Chief Digital Officer of MTN Ghana, said the partnership is in line with MTN Ghana’s commitment to nurturing future-ready digital talent, describing it as a journey rather than a short-term project.

Misto stated that the goal is to co-create solutions to real-world problems and support institutions like Thrive and Shine that are empowering young people with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute meaningfully to the digital economy.

Yvonne Dumor, Co-Founder of Thrive and Shine, described the partnership as a breakthrough moment for the organization, stating that talent is universal, but opportunity is not.

She said everything the organization does is driven by the question of how to bring opportunity closer to the people around them. Dumor added that the partnership with MTN moves the organization a step closer to closing the digital gap for students and young people who are striving to compete in the global AI space.

For beneficiaries, the impact is already tangible. Michael Darko, a Computer Science student at Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), shared how the programme is transforming his trajectory, stating that financial constraints previously made it difficult for him to fully focus on his studies and commit to projects.

He said that through the scholarship and support from Thrive and Shine, he can now concentrate on his studies and build real projects.

Under the partnership, MTN Ghana will provide mentoring opportunities, internship placements and a launchpad for participants to learn, apply their knowledge and translate their learning into practical, real-world use cases.

Thrive and Shine LBG is a nonprofit organization dedicated to unlocking young Africans’ potential by removing barriers to STEM education. The organization provides financial support, mentorship, career guidance and a supportive community, leveraging AI and innovative tools to empower STEM students.

The organization has sponsored nine university students through its scholarship program, spread across Ghana’s top institutions, including the University of Ghana, University of Development Studies and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

This partnership forms part of MTN Ghana’s broader ambition to champion digital inclusion, reduce the digital divide and empower young people with the skills needed to unlock economic opportunities in an AI-driven era.

The telecommunications company recently announced a US$2 million contribution to the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations in support of the Government of Ghana’s One Million Coders Programme, which is part of the country’s digital transformation strategy and aims to equip young people with coding and technology skills.

Source: Newsghana

MTN Group kicked off its annual Global Leadership Gathering (GLG) – themed “3 Platforms, One MTN” – convening more than 400 senior leaders from across the Group’s markets for a three-day leadership forum running from Monday, 2 February to Wednesday, 4 February 2026. 

Hosted by Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita, and his Executive Team, the GLG brings together MTN’s senior leadership at a time of rapid change across the telecommunications and digital services sector. As customer expectations rise, regulatory requirements become more exacting and technology continues to reshape how services are delivered, sustained performance increasingly depends on clear leadership alignment, disciplined execution and consistent decision-making across diverse markets. 

The GLG is a focused leadership forum that enables MTN’s most senior decision-makers to align on priorities, assess performance and reinforce the standards of leadership, accountability and execution required to deliver consistently across a complex operating environment. 

“Our role is to enable Africa’s progress by connecting people, businesses and communities, and by extending digital and financial inclusion in the markets we serve. That responsibility demands leaders who work as one MTN in how we set priorities, make decisions and execute with discipline and consistency,” said Mupita. He noted that the gathering provides a critical opportunity for leaders to strengthen alignment on delivery priorities and leadership accountability across the Group. 

Over the three days, leaders will engage in a structured programme of leadership dialogue, facilitated discussions and expert-led sessions. The agenda is designed to support rigorous conversation on customer experience, execution discipline and leadership effectiveness, with a focus on driving consistency and quality of delivery across MTN’s footprint. 

Leadership effectiveness and culture form an integral part of the gathering. The GLG reinforces MTN’s Live Y’ello culture, which provides a shared foundation for leadership behaviour, decision-making and accountability across the Group. Anchored in MTN’s purpose and values, this cultural framework supports cohesive leadership practice and strengthens organisational capability across markets. 

The programme also brings an outside-in perspective through a range of global and regional voices spanning geopolitics, digital transformation, leadership and technology. Their contributions are intended to challenge perspectives, deepen shared understanding of the external environment and sharpen leadership dialogue on performance, priorities and execution across the Group. 

In a sector shaped by rising expectations and rapid change, MTN’s Global Leadership Gathering underscores the Group’s focus on leadership alignment, execution discipline and organisational readiness, strengthening the conditions for consistent delivery and long-term value creation across its markets. 

Source: MTN

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) will participate in one of Africa’s leading mining events, Mining Indaba 2026, from February 9 to 12, 2026, in Cape Town, South Africa. The event attracts over 10,000 attendees, including governments, mining leaders, investors, and service providers, fostering collaboration, innovation, and investment across the sector.

At this year’s event, Ericsson will demonstrate how its Ericsson Private 5G and Wireless WAN solutions are reshaping the mining industry by delivering dependable, secure, and high-performance connectivity, crucial to modern mining operations. Visitors to the Ericsson Booth, number 1W57, will experience live demonstrations of private 5G-enabled mining solutions developed with partners including Comsol Networks and Becker Mining Systems. These demonstrations will showcase various 5G solutions such as Digital Twin solutions for mining, Wireless WAN and Ericsson Private 5G. The displays will also showcase how these transformative solutions are advancing the concept of the smart mine, incorporating Becker’s “SmartFlow” software solution.

As part of Ericsson’s participation, Duncan Hawkins, Head of Europe, Middle East, and Africa Enterprise 5G Sales at Ericsson, will be part of the panel discussion, “Unleashing Smart Connectivity for Deep Mining”, on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, from 10:00 – 11:00.

By championing collaboration across industry stakeholders, mining companies, technology partners, and government entities, Ericsson is driving more efficient practices through private cellular networks in order to deliver the dependable connectivity essential for enabling the “smart mine” of the future. This unwavering commitment to innovation and digitalization ensures the industry’s ability to meet modern environmental, safety, and operational demands.

Source: Ericsson