Data Protection Commission Takes Action: Three Companies Nabbed for Breaching Data Protection Laws
Ghana's digital ecosystem week in review: Ghana police launches traffic tech, Vodafone cash launches ECG prepayment, Oyster launches $310K, NCA hosts girls-in-ICT and more ...
Accra Digital Digest No. #011100
Date: August 14 - 21, 2023
Dear friends,
We have handpicked the most important news, diverse perspectives, in-depth analysis, and invaluable insights, all to empower you in staying well-informed about Ghana's digital economy.
Digital governance
News updates
Officials of Quick Credit, Hisense, Marwako picked up for data privacy breaches
The Data Protection Commission (DPC) has picked up officials of three companies for questioning over alleged violation of data protection laws. The companies are Quick Credit and Investment Micro Credit Limited, Hisense Ghana Limited, and Marwako Fast Food.
Digital infrastructure & platforms
News updates
Ghana Police Service Launches Traffictech-GH System to Detect Road Traffic Offenses
The Ghana Police Service (GPS) has rolled out an automated system to digitally enforce adherence to road traffic regulations. The GPS has launched its system, known as Traffictech-GH, to assist the police in enforcing road traffic regulations through the use of cameras and sensors to detect drivers who disregard road traffic laws.
Digital finance
News updates
MTN seeks 3 more investors for Fintech unit
MTN Group is seeking as many as three more strategic investors in addition to Mastercard for its fintech unit, which it values at $5.2 billion. “We are open to selling up to a maximum of 30% of the fintech business,” MTN CEO Ralph Mupita said on Tuesday. “There might be three or maybe even four strategic partners within that.”
MTN MoMo valued at US$5.2 billion as Mastercard eyes 40% stake
MTN Group on Monday said it had signed an initial agreement with global payments giant Mastercard to sell a minority stake in its fintech arm. MTN had been trying to unlock value in its financial technology and payments arm amid crippling power cuts in its home country South Africa that have forced it to set aside extensive capital for backup power systems.
Vodafone unveils prepaid ECG payments via Vodafone Cash
Vodafone Ghana Mobile Financial Services Limited (Vodafone Cash) has announced that prepaid customers can make ECG payments through the short code *110#. Starting Thursday, 17th August 2023, Vodafone Cash customers with smart meters can buy prepaid electricity via the *110# USSD menu.
Op-ed
Ghana: Customers of mobile money are paying more
What exactly is the political economy of fintech-led financial inclusion in Ghana and across Africa? How has it expressed itself in Ghana’s mobile money industry? And to what extent do the outcomes in Ghana reflect wider conversations about global finance capitalism?
Digital entrepreneurship
News updates
Ghanaian Startup Oyster Agribusiness Raises $310,000 To Help Empower Smallholder Farmers
Ghana’s Oyster Agribusiness, an agricultural enterprise that employs significant levels of tech and works closely with smallholder farmers, has raised US$310,000 in grant and debt funding to propel its mission of sustainable agriculture, gender inclusion, and talent management.
Dash App Scandal: Investors consider dumping Ghanaian FinTech
Dash, the Ghanaian fintech startup that raised a notably substantial seed round of $32.8 million last year to revolutionize the African digital payments landscape, is facing an unravelling of its fortunes, as its major investors are said to be actively seeking to dispose of it, including its licenses, after a case of setbacks and a cloud of controversy.
UNDP, Mastercard Foundation sign $25.8m deal to engage 10,000 innovators
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Mastercard Foundation have partnered to establish and implement a Young Africa Innovates (YAI) programme in Ghana and Nigeria over the next two and half years. The $25.8 million partnership deal aims to engage over 10,000 innovators across Ghana and Nigeria, according to a news release published on the UNDP website on Monday.
Digital talents
News updates
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has hosted one hundred (100) selected participants from various regions of the 2023 National Girls-In-ICT Initiative at the NCA Tower in Accra. This was part of an Open Day activity organised by the Ministry of Communications and
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