Government Partners MTN To Implement 1 Million Coders Program!
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Digital Digest No.#1100010
Date: March 3 - March 10 2025
Dear Friends,
Happy new week!?? Here are the most important news, perspectives, analysis, and insights about the Ghanaian digital ecosystem from last week .
Digital governance ??
News updates
The deputy finance minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem has reiterated that the government will scrap the betting tax and e-levy as president John Dramani Mahama promised during the campaign period.
Digital infrastructure and platforms
News updates?
The government has given two leading telcos, MTN and Telecel extra spectrum to sustain their 6GB for GHS10 Independence Day data offer for 72 hours.
Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George who disclosed this to Techfocus24, explained that in previous years the telcos offered similar packages which expired same day, but this time round government has made it possible for them to extend the offer to 72 hours.
In a bold move to enhance digital access, all three telcos in collaboration with the government have introduced a special Independence Day data bundle, significantly increasing internet connectivity for Ghanaians at an affordable price. The special offer gives Ghanaians a whopping 6GB of data for only GHS10 on all three networks – MTN, Telecel and AT Ghana.
Senior Management of Next Gen Infraco (NGIC), the 5G wholesale infrastructure provider, has paid a courtesy call on the Acting Director General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Rev Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko.?The visit was to congratulate Rev Fianko on his recent appointment to the position of Acting Director General.
According to the latest report from?DataReportal, a platform that publishes social media statistics, YouTube and Facebook have the most users in Ghana. According to the latest data, YouTube has an estimated?7.8 million users?in Ghana which is on par with Facebook which has the same estimated number of users.
Digital finance
News updates?
“You recall the Bank of Ghana has issued a draft guideline on digital transactions which is a good framework to mitigate the risk associated with digital assets transactions. So again if we continue what the Bank of Ghana has done and incorporate these regulatory measures into the 2025 Budget, then we’re demonstrating the new government’s intent to foster a secure environment for digital financial transaction and activities" - Director of Strategy and Chief of Staff at Yellow Card, Gillian Darko
Sustineri Attorneys PRUC, a corporate law firm specializing in technology, fintech and transactional law, has been named Fintech Law Firm of the Year at the Ghana Fintech Awards.
The 4th Ghana Fintech Awards this year saw 19 institutions and five individuals in digital finance industry walk away with laurels amidst glitz, glamour and pageantry. The event, organized by the Ghana Fintech and Payments Association (GFPA) in collaboration with Arkel Limited, recognized innovation, compliance, and partnerships that are shaping the industry.
eTranzact Ghana, a leading digital payments service provider, has been named Fintech Company of the Year at the 4th Ghana Fintech Awards.The event, organised by the Ghana FinTech and Payments Association in partnership with Arkel Limited, recognises excellence in Ghana’s fintech sector and highlights the industry’s rapid growth and innovation.
Absa Bank Ghana has opened an SME Banking Suite at its Adum branch in Kumasi to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region.The new SME Banking Suite provides a dedicated space where businesses can connect, collaborate, and access tailored banking solutions conveniently. The suite is part of the bank’s commitment to enhancing SME support by offering a business-friendly environment with services tailored to their unique needs.
Digital entrepreneurship ?
News updates?
2024 was a year of record highs and deep contradictions for Ghana’s startup ecosystem. A 95% jump in funding with female founders securing less than 1% of the total capital, Fintech dominance continues, Policy is shifting and Market linkages matter more than funding. What does this mean for founders, investors and policy makers? Download the full report here
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Digital talents
News updates? IT entrepreneurship training programme launched
The Ghanaian-European Centre for Jobs, Migration and Development, in partnership with the Jackson Institute of Technology, has launched a transformative IT entrepreneurship training programme. This initiative aims to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with essential skills, knowledge, and networking opportunities to excel in the rapidly evolving tech industry.
Employees of Telecel Ghana, through the telecommunications giant’s Employee Volunteering Programme - Red Hearts, have handed over a renovated and equipped Information Computer Technology (ICT) lab to the Anfoega Akukome E.P. Primary School within the Anfoega Traditional Community in the Volta Region.
As part of a series of activities to celebrate International Women’s Month this March, Telecel Ghana and Telecel Ghana Foundation have organised the ‘Accelerate HER Future’ mentorship initiative, where female employees shared career experiences to guide and motivate over 200 young girls from the Kanda Cluster of Schools in Accra.
MTN Group and the Government of Ghana have signed a landmark agreement to collaborate on the ‘One Million Coders Program,’ a flagship initiative aimed at equipping young Ghanaians with artificial intelligence (AI), coding, and digital skills to drive the country’s digital transformation. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona by Ghana’s Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Honourable Samuel Nartey George, and MTN Group President and CEO, Ralph Mupita.
The Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH) is delighted to announce the appointment of Richard Kafui Amanfu as its new Executive Director. This significant leadership change follows the successful tenure of David Gowu, who served as co-founder and first Executive Director for eight years. Richard Kafui Amanfu, with his extensive experience and dedication to ICT development, is poised to lead IIPGH into a new era of innovation and growth.
Heritors Labs Limited, a product development house, software engineering enclave, research center, and innovation services hub, in collaboration with its funding partner RISA Fund and key stakeholders, held the maiden edition of the Future Innovators and Researchers Experience (FIRE) at the British Council Ghana on 28th February,2025 to drive a shift in the mindset of Ghana’s future innovators towards commercialisation and expose them to ecosystem opportunities.
MTN Ghana, in collaboration with Geisha Soap and Charter House, has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s empowerment by sponsoring the National Women’s Summit 2025. The event was held on Friday, March 7, at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).
Earlier this week, President John Dramani Mahama met with Valerie Labi, co-founder of Wahu Mobility, and Abena Baidoo, the company's Chief Finance Officer, to reaffirm his administration's commitment to supporting women-led innovation and driving sustainable economic development.
The Tech, Art & Soul Podcast asks the big questions about the possibilities when three worlds come together. The technology affecting cultures, the creativity pushing the boundaries of our imagination, and the people inspiring positive change with radical innovation. The podcast explores these interplays through authentic, unscripted conversations with artists, technologists, and thought leaders who challenge our view of the world.
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