The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has urged African nations to take ownership of their digital transformation, declaring that the continent can no longer afford to remain a bystander in the global digital economy.
Speaking at the opening of the Mobex Africa Tech Expo and Innovation Conference 2025 at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra on Thursday, the Minister outlined Ghana’s ambitious digital agenda under President John Dramani Mahama, anchored on four pillars Innovation, Infrastructure, Inclusion, and Impact.
He highlighted the One Million Coders Initiative, which is equipping citizens across all 261 districts with skills in coding, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data analytics. The programme, he said, is designed to prepare Ghanaians for the industries of the future.
Mr. Nartey George also announced the establishment of a $1 billion Ghana-UAE Innovation and Technology Hub at Dawa, alongside plans to achieve nationwide broadband coverage by 2027. In addition, he disclosed that Cabinet is considering a proposal to ensure every new road construction incorporates digital access infrastructure.
According to the Minister, Ghana’s digital drive is expected to create 200,000 technology-driven jobs by 2028, while generating an estimated $2 billion annually through digital exports.
He further stressed the importance of Africa’s digital sovereignty, pointing to initiatives such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPS), which will facilitate seamless intra-African trade and payments.
To support innovation, Mr. Nartey George revealed that 15 ICT-related bills will be laid before Parliament this year, while regulatory sandboxes will be introduced to allow innovators to test emerging technologies in a controlled environment.
He called on African innovators to rise to the challenge of developing homegrown solutions to the continent’s unique problems. “Africa must not remain a consumer but become a creator and leader in the global digital revolution,” he declared.
The Mobex Africa Tech Expo and Innovation Conference has brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to deliberate on strategies for accelerating Africa’s digital transformation.
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