From AirtelTigo to AT: Ghana's Teleco Reinvents Itself for a New Era
Ghana's digital ecosystem week in review: MTN increases MoMo cash-out fees, 2 Ghanaian startup in Google's black founders program, STEM roadshow launched, ICUM investigated and more ...
Accra Digital Digest No. #010100
Date: June 19 - June 25, 2023
Dear Friends,
Its another week again. Here are the most important news, perspectives, analysis, and insights about Ghanaian digital ecosystem last week.
Digital infrastructure & platforms
News updates
Telecommunication Company AirtelTigo Ghana Rebrands To “AT”
AirtelTigo, a Ghana telecommunication network company, has officially changed its brand name to AT. AirtelTigo’s name change will apply to all its sub-brands; AT Money, AT Business, AT Premier, and AT Insurance. The new name, AT will also apply to all future communications, marketing materials, and branding efforts.
Ghana Link Chairman Welcomes Special Prosecutor’s Interest in ICUMS Platform
The Chairman of Ghana Link Network Services Ltd (Ghana Link), Nick Danso Adjei says he welcomes the request by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for executive access to the Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS) platform.
Digital governance
News updates
Governor of the Bank Of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison, has called for the enhancement of digital infrastructure to boost intra-African trade. According to him, digital transformation is crucial in achieving the dream of a borderless trade amongst African countries and improve financial inclusion.
Op-eds
In 2012, the Ghana government launched an open data policy that aimed to promote transparency, accountability, and innovation in the public sector. The policy also established a national open data portal, where various datasets from different ministries, departments, and agencies will be made available for public use. Fast forward to 2023, and it looks like the open data portal is no longer supported. So what happened?
Startups in Ghana struggle with access to technical support services, sustainable market linkages and funding to keep them afloat in the initial difficult years. Without an enabling environment created by policy, startups in Ghana are not able to grow an create jobs as expected.
Digital finance
News updates
MTN increases Mobile Money cashout fees
Beginning July 1, 2023, MTN is increasing mobile money cash out transaction fees to GHS20 for all amounts GHS2,000 and above. In an SMS circular to customers, MTN MobileMoney Limited said cash out transactions up to GHS2,000 will attract a 1% fee, but any cash out above GHS2,000 will attract a maximum of GHS20.
aYo Ghana launches Family Cover for group of 7
Leading microinsurance company, aYo Intermediaries Ghana, has launched yet another ground-breaking insurance package that provides up to GH¢15,000 life cover each for a group of seven family members who sign on.
The new policy, dubbed aYo Family Cover, also provides GH¢300 per night hospitalisation cover for each of the seven persons on the policy.
Digital entrepreneurship
News updates
Seedstars Capital and Fondation Botnar have announced the launch of the Seedstars Youth Wellbeing Ventures mandate. Together, they intend to invest $20 million in early-stage, purpose-driven companies aiming to improve the well-being of young people in low- and middle-income countries across the continent.
Google Announces Its 2023 Black Founders Fund Cohort in Africa
Google for Startups has announced 25 African startups selected for the Black Founders Fund. The Black Founders Fund, with $4 million in funding, is dedicated to rectifying systemic racial inequality in venture capital (VC) funding by providing equity-free grants and mentoring to early-stage, high-growth Black-led businesses across Europe and Africa.
Bezo Money and Talamus Health represent Ghana in the startups selected.
Digital talents
News updates
MTN equips over 2,000 small businesswomen with digital market skills
MTN Ghana employee volunteers have trained over 2,000 women entrepreneurs across the country with digital marketing skills as part of MTN Ghana’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care.
Maiden STEM promotion road show takes off in Accra
The maiden edition of the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) promotion road show was yesterday launched at the Accra High School in Accra. The road show which is being organised by the Ministry of Information in collaboration with the Ministry of Education forms part of number of activities to showcase and allow the entire country to have a deeper understanding of what is being done.
Npontu Technologies, UCC collaborate to connect academia, industry
This partnership aims to provide students at the UCC Business School with a unique opportunity to apply current technology in practical ways that complement their classroom learning. By leveraging cloud-based applications such as data and financial analytic tools, both students and faculty can enhance their digital knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of technology applications in their respective fields.
Uganda’s Omziki Distribution appoints Ghana’s Jonilar as Country Director
Omziki, a leading African music distribution platform in Uganda, has appointed Ghanaian digital media executive, Jonathan Nii Laryea (Jonilar) as the Country Director and brand ambassador.
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