Ghana gets $300 million from US to build first-of-its-kind data center
Ghana's digital ecosystem week in review: IMF loan and its impact of Ghanaian businesses, Microcredit industry launches ERP, Kofa raises seed funding, VCTF recapitalises and more ...
Accra Digital Digest No. #001111
Date: May 15 - May 21, 2023
Dear Friends,
We are excited to share with you the most important news, perspectives, analysis, and insights about Ghanaian digital ecosystem last week.
Digital infrastructure & platforms
News updates
Government to complete 560 rural telephony sites by end of year – Minister
The government will, by the end of this year, complete the construction of some 560 rural telephony sites under the Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project to extend basic voice and data connectivity to underserved and unserved communities across Ghana.
Africa Data Centres Constructing Largest Data Facility In West Africa In Ghana
Africa Data Centres, the largest network of interconnected, carrier-and cloud-neutral data centre facilities on the continent, has announced that it will start construction on its newly acquired land in the Central Business District of Accra, Ghana.
Micro-credit industry launches ERP and Regtech Platform
The MCAG Member Portal is a unique Regulatory Technology (Regtech) platform designed primarily to enhance regulatory reporting and provide accurate and timely data to all stakeholders. And it was developed to provide real-time updates, reports and data. Additionally, it gives a global picture of the micro-credit industry’s performance.
K-NET showcases broadcasting technology ingenuity at CABSAT 2023
K-NET built, owns and operates a world-class Satellite Teleport located in Accra. The Teleport, which is a satellite operator agnostic, has multiple Earth Station Antennae (ESA), Radio Frequency Transmitters (RFT) and multiple VSAT hubs which are fully integrated for various service delivery on any satellite.
Almost 5 million persons above 15 years do not own smartphone in Ghana
Almost five million (4.9 million) persons 15 years and older did not own a functional smartphone in Ghana with almost twice as many females (3.0 million) not owning smartphones compared to males (1.8 million).
According to data from the Ghana Statistical Service, the percentage of the population that did not own smartphones was similar to the percentage that was offline.
SES HD PLUS ends training programme, creates 10,000 jobs for youth
SES HD PLUS, the premium satellite broadcast service provider, has ended its HD+ Installer Training Programme for the first half of 2023 through which about 10,000 jobs have been created for the youth.
MTN to exceed $1b target set out to invest in infrastructure – CEO
MTN Ghana is most likely to exceed the $1 billion target the company set out in 2021 to invest in infrastructure and information systems in the next five years.
Digital governance
News updates
SIM Swap Fraud: EOCO puts suspect on WANTED list
The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) has released a list of three persons on its wanted list and it includes one Ezekiel Mensah Otoo who is wanted specifically for SIM Swap fraud.
Gov’t commits US$2.6m to close technology usage gap
Government is committing US$2.6million to establish innovation centres across the country to equip about 3,000 Ghanaians with digital literacy by next year.
With this, government hopes to further bridge the country’s yawning technology usage gap, says deputy Communications and Digitalisation Minister, Ama Pomaa Boateng.
Op-ed
All research organizations must meet all legal requirements relevant to the processing activity (e.g., common law of confidentiality) and specify a lawful basis for data processing for their activities. If you are processing personal data for research purposes, you should know the lawful basis you are relying on because you may be asked to specify it.
Digital finance
News updates
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Venture Capital Trust Fund (VCTF), Yaw Owusu-Brempong, has assured of his outfit’s readiness to support startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to achieve growth.
This comes on the back of the government’s decision through the Ghana Economic Transformation Project (GETP) to recapitalise VCTF with US$40 million, in what is seen a change in fortunes for the once cash-strapped fund.
Mobile Money float hits GHS13.2 billion in April 2023
Actual mobile money transaction float in Ghana was GHS13.2 billion in April 2023 alone, which indicates a 37.5% increase year-on-year from GHS9.6 billion in April 2022.
Sinapi Aba Savings and Loans wins Innovation Hero award
Sinapi Aba Savings and Loans has been awarded the coveted Innovation Hero Award, only the second time since its inception, at the 2023 Client Awards Winners at the Temenos Community Forum (TCF) in Vienna. The event celebrates global pioneers, innovators and visionaries in banking.
Over 250 traders trained against fraudulent financial schemes
More than 250 traders in Accra have benefitted from the Government’s ongoing national financial literacy campaign aimed at empowering the citizenry against fraudulent investment schemes and how to manage their finances prudently.
Deal Source Africa bridges gap in SME financing
Deal Source Africa, a platform dedicated to connecting businesses with investors, has initiated measures aimed at addressing the significant gap in financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Digital entrepreneurship
News updates
Energy Startup Kofa Raises Seed Funding to Launch Intelligent Battery-Swapping Network in Ghana
Ghanaian and UK-based energy technology company, Kofa, has secured seed funding to drive its mission of providing clean energy access to 10 million customers across Africa and offsetting 10 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
Invest in data analysis to ensure customer satisfaction – Marian Amartey
Head of Business Enablement, Stanbic Bank Ghana, Marian Amartey has emphasized the need for financial institutions to invest in data analysis to understand new trends in customer behaviors to provide the right solutions to satisfy the needs of customers.
Disregard dubious funding programme for SMEs – GIPC warns public
The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) has cautioned the public against what it describes as a dubious funding programme for Small and Medium Scale businesses, as captured in a Google Docx file, making rounds on social media.
Going with IMF’s suggestions on revenue mobilisation will burden businesses – GNCCI
According to the Chamber, should the suggestions be implemented, it will adversely affect businesses that are already burdened with numerous taxes and other unfavourable conditions.
Telesto Strategy announces climate tech accelerator for early-stage Ghanaian startups
Telesto Strategy and Academic City University College are partnering to launch an early-stage Climate Tech Accelerator to support the development of a regional pipeline of investable, climate-focused startups across Ghana.
Op-eds
Managing the impact of new taxes
As Ghana’s economy continues to face significant challenges, the government recently introduced three new taxes – the Excise duty amendment bill 2022, growth and sustainability levy bill, and income tax amendment bill 2022 – to raise revenue and meet the criteria for a US$3 billion IMF programme staff-level agreement.s.
Digital talents
News updates
As part of Africa Day celebration on 25 May, Meta announced the third iteration of its pan-African ‘Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ campaign. Themed “Rising Stars”, this year’s edition aims to amplify the voices and stories of eight rising talents from across Africa, who are building a global presence and changing the way Africa is viewed on the international stage.
Ghana wins Ms. Geek Africa 2023 competition in Zimbabwe
Miss Selasi Ama Domi-Kuwornu, a 21-year-old final year student at the University of Cape Coast, has been crowned Ms. Geek Africa 2023 during a competition held in Zimbabwe.
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