By Enock Akonnor (Managing Editor) enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
Africa must chart its own course in the global digital revolution, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), has declared.
Delivering the keynote address at the Mobex Africa Tech Expo and Innovation Conference 2025 in Accra, the Minister stressed that Africa can no longer remain on the sidelines of the digital economy. He called on governments, innovators, and the private sector to work together to ensure that technological transformation is driven by African priorities, talent, and innovation.
Hon. Nartey George outlined Ghana’s commitment under President John Dramani Mahama to building a resilient and inclusive digital ecosystem founded on four pillars: Innovation, Infrastructure, Inclusion, and Impact.
Among the flagship initiatives he highlighted was the One Million Coders Programme, which is providing digital skills training in all 261 districts to prepare citizens for careers in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
He also announced the development of a $1 billion Ghana-UAE Innovation and Technology Hub in Dawa, aimed at positioning Ghana as a leading technology hub in West Africa.
To deepen connectivity, the Minister disclosed plans to achieve universal broadband coverage by 2027 and a proposal requiring digital access infrastructure to be integrated into all new road projects.
These initiatives, he said, are expected to create 200,000 technology-driven jobs by 2028 and generate about $2 billion annually through digital exports.
Hon. Nartey George also underscored the need for digital sovereignty and regional cooperation, citing the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPS) as a game-changing mechanism for promoting intra-African trade.
To further support innovation, he announced that 15 new ICT-related bills will be laid before Parliament this year, along with the establishment of regulatory sandboxes to help startups test new technologies responsibly.
The Minister concluded by urging African innovators to rise to the challenge of creating homegrown digital solutions. “Africa must not be a consumer of technology,” he stated, “but a creator, a leader, and a driver of its own digital destiny.”
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
Contact:
đź“ž +233 541 921 562
✉️ enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
