Industry News

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

MTN Ghana has intensified efforts to educate customers on the efficient use of mobile data in response to growing concerns over rapid data depletion among subscribers.

The company is embarking on a comprehensive data usage education program aimed at empowering customers with practical knowledge to better manage their data consumption.

Speaking at the Success Africa Summit, held at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Dzudzorfe Hadzor, Coordinator for Data Devices and Home at MTN Ghana, emphasised that the sensitisation was part of the company’s commitment to transparency and responsible data management.

“The data usage education program seeks to reinforce MTN’s robust reputation management, seeks to deepen customer trust and belief in the brand, and empower customers with requisite knowledge on how they can manage their data,” she said.

Participants at the summit were also taken through practical steps to prevent rapid data depletion, including managing background app activity and optimizing device settings.

Ms. Hadzor further disclosed that MTN has introduced a range of targeted data bundles tailored to meet the diverse needs of its customers, including larger data packages for heavy users as well as specialized offers designed for specific usage patterns.

Among the offerings are time-based bundles such as midnight, kokroko, and “Terrific Thursday” packages, which provide customers with cost-effective options for high-volume data usage during off-peak hours.

According to Ms Hadzor, certain mobile applications and device behaviours can independently consume significant amounts of data, often without users being fully aware. This, she noted, has contributed to widespread complaints about data running out faster than expected.

“We are hopeful that through this activity, customers can monitor app-specific data usage and adopt smarter habits to reduce unnecessary consumption. Educating users will help them maximise the value of their data bundles.

In a separate session, a project manager at MTN Ghana, Josephine Amoah, addressed the theme of career excellence, urging participants to adopt a mindset of continuous growth and global competitiveness in an increasingly digital world.

She encouraged individuals to remain committed to self-improvement, embrace learning opportunities, and strive for excellence in their professional lives.

According to her, achieving career success requires intentional effort, resilience, and a willingness to overcome challenges while making a meaningful impact.

Source: www.myjoyonline.com

Ericsson, in partnership with MTN South Africa has hosted the first Ericsson Digital Lab session at The Wot-If? Trust in Diepsloot, aimed at introducing learners to the evolution of industrial revolutions and fostering digital skills.

The interactive session covered the journey from the First to the Fifth Industrial Revolution through videos, quizzes, and a demonstration robot, sparking curiosity and discussion among students. Participants were also introduced to an upcoming robotics development challenge.

Ericsson Digital Labs provide hands-on learning experiences in connectivity, coding, robotics, and emerging technologies, promoting STEM education and equipping young people with practical skills for future careers. Volunteers from Ericsson and MTN South Africa guided the session, helping inspire the next generation of innovators.

Source : www. techreviewafrica.com

Parliament has passed a landmark amendment to Ghana’s deposit protection law that, for the first time, extends formal insurance coverage to funds held in mobile money wallets, giving the country’s 19 million active mobile money users a legal safety net they have never had before.

The Ghana Deposit Protection Amendment Bill, 2025, passed on Thursday, updates the existing Ghana Deposit Protection Act, 2016 (Act 931), and expands the mandate of the Ghana Deposit Protection Corporation (GDPC) to cover electronic money, meaning funds in mobile money wallets and other digital platforms are now eligible for protection if a licensed financial institution fails.

The extension of coverage to e-money will be implemented in a manner deemed operationally feasible by the Corporation, giving the GDPC flexibility in how and when the mobile money protection framework is rolled out. The bill also empowers the GDPC to access emergency funding and provides a formal financial backstop for the corporation — mechanisms it previously lacked.

Deputy Minister of Finance Thomas Nyarko Ampem told Parliament the amendment was designed to make Ghana’s deposit protection framework relevant to the financial system Ghanaians actually use today, not the one that existed in 2016. The legislation follows the financial sector clean-up of 2017 to 2020, during which the government spent over GH₵21 billion to compensate depositors after the collapse of multiple banks and other financial institutions, a crisis that exposed the limits of the existing protection framework and left thousands of savers waiting years for their money.

The timing and scope of the amendment carry direct practical significance. Mobile money transactions in Ghana reached GH₵3.6 trillion in the first ten months of 2025 alone, with over 74 million registered accounts and 19.3 million active monthly users. MTN’s MoMo platform holds GH₵38.4 billion in customer wallet balances, a 61 per cent increase over the previous year. Until today’s passage, all of that value sat outside the formal deposit insurance framework that protects funds in bank accounts.

The Finance Committee of Parliament, after extensive deliberations, endorsed the bill, stating that its passage would go a long way to improve Ghana’s financial stability, protect depositors, and support the development of a resilient financial sector, aligning the Ghana Deposit Protection Scheme with international best practices.

The amendment now awaits presidential assent before taking full legal effect.

Source: www.newsghana.com.gh

MTN Ghana and Mobile Money Limited have donated food items and cash valued at GH¢200,000 to the Muslim community in the Western Region to support them as they near the end of their fasting period.

The donation, which included bags of rice, cooking oil, water, biscuits and assorted drinks, forms part of the companies’ longstanding annual tradition of supporting Muslims during Ramadan.

Speaking at the presentation, Corporate Services Advisor for Southern Ghana, Kennedy Ofosuhen, said the gesture was aimed at reaffirming the company’s strong relationship with the Muslim community.

“This is something we have been doing consistently for the past 15 to 20 years. It is our way of showing appreciation to the Muslim community and supporting them as they come close to the end of their fasting,” he said.

He noted that beyond the donation, the company values the prayers and spiritual support of the Muslim faithful.

“We also ask that they remember us in their prayers for wisdom, growth of our business and continued success in all our endeavours,” he added.

Mr. Ofosuhen explained that the package included both food items and a cash donation of GH¢100,000, bringing the total value of support to GH¢200,000.

Receiving the items, the Western Regional Chief Imam, Alhaj Zulkifil Abdul Waheed, commended MTN for its consistency and generosity towards the Muslim ummah.

He emphasised that Islam places high value on charity and supporting the needy, especially during Ramadan.

“Our Prophet Mohammad taught that when someone does good to you and you cannot repay, you should pray for that person’s progress”.

Source : www. thebftonline.com