Ghana's digital ecosystem in January 2023: A quick review
Vodafone Ghana exit, MTN Ghana vs GRA tax tango, Launch of Glovo local & Hola browser in Ghana, BoG's sandbox now open and more.
Accra Digital Digest No. #000001
Date: Jan 1, 2023 – Jan 29, 2023
Dear friends,
Thanks for subscribing to the Accra Digital Digest. We offer a weekly news summary, perspectives, analysis, and insights into the Ghanaian digital ecosystem for professionals, business owners, executives, development partners, decision-makers, and investors.
In our inaugural newsletter, we compiled the most important news, features, and insights about Ghana's digital ecosystem in January 2023.
Digital infrastructure & platforms
News updates
AMA to roll out digital revenue collection system in March 2023
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced plans to introduce a new digitise revenue collection system in March this year to improve on and to rake in more revenue for the Assembly
Government Launched its e-Pharmacy Platform Ghana National Electronic Pharmacy Platform (GNEPP) after a successful pilot which began in July 2022. The platform is commissioned by the Pharmacy Council of Ghana and other agencies to facilitate safe and secure access to medications and pharmaceutical services in Ghana from internet based applications such as online pharmacies, websites, social media and e-commerce platforms.
NCA approves 70% share sale of Vodafone to Telecel Group
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has granted approval for transfer of the 70 percent majority shares in Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited (Vodafone Ghana) held by Vodafone International Holdings B.V. to Telecel Group.
Op-eds
Can MNOs cash in on eSIM market boom?
In his article on the adoption of eSIMs in Ghana, Charles Benoni Okin makes the case for MNOs' contribution to the expansion of the eSIM market.
Digital governance
News updates
The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) to punish defiant businesses
The ORC, Ghana has vowed to clamp down on businesses and entities on its books who have not renewed their registration with the office.
MTN Ghana disputes GH¢8billion tax liability
Scancom PLC, owners of MTN Ghana has pushed back on an alleged tax infringement placed on the company by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) between 2014 and 2018. The telecommunications company says it is a tax compliant corporate citizen and the tax liability notice of GH¢8,209,603,842.14 (US$773 million) issued against it by the GRA is unacceptable.
1% E-Levy kicks off on Jan 11, 2023 - Traders, egents expect positive outcome
The Mobile Money Agents Association Of Ghana (MMAAG) has expressed the hope that the revised rate of the Electronic Levy (E-Levy) of one per cent, which takes off today, will help revive its business, since operations suffered last year when the levy was introduced.
Op-ed
Will ChatGPT Transform International Development?
Bright Simons went in-depth on the issue of chatGPT's ability to advance socioeconomic development in Africa. He contends that chatGPT is practically useless from the perspective of a genuine policy maker in its current form because it merely repeats the same generic meaningless phrase, lacks open-internet information about Africa, and has trouble seeing many loaded scenarios. Read on.
Digital finance
News updates
Bank of Ghana to admit first cohort onto Regulatory Sandbox platform
Between February 13 and March 14, 2023, the Regulatory and Innovation Sandbox of the Bank of Ghana will be open for enrolment. The Regulatory Sandbox, which was introduced in August 2022, is a tool designed to take advantage of technological potential in order to create a competitive and inclusive financial services sector without jeopardizing financial stability.
DreamOval wins Stanford Transformation Awards.
DreamOval Ghana Limited has been named the recipient of the Stanford Seed Transformation Award, a program run by the Stanford Graduate School of Business that aims to teach entrepreneurs in Africa and India in management skills.
Yellow Card Launches Its “Yellow Pay” Feature Across Africa
Yellow Card, a cryptocurrency fintech company, has formally introduced its Yellow Pay service in Africa. Users will be able to send and receive money across Africa at a low cost thanks to its introduction. The function allows customers to complete transactions in USDT via the cryptocurrency trading platform of Yellow Card.
Digital entrepreneurship
News updates
Two Ghanaian start-ups are among the 11 participants in the third cohort of the Accelerator Program, the Africa Startup Initiative Program (ASIP), sponsored by Telecel Group implemented by Startupbootcamp AfriTech.
Agritech West Africa Exhibition to be held in March 2023 in Ghana
The second edition of the Agritech West Africa exhibition will be held from 15-17 Mar 2023 at Accra International Conference Center in Accra.
Hola Browser, a browser with a built-in, totally free peer-to-peer virtual private network (VPN), was officially launched in Ghana. This allows internet users the ability to freely view the entire world's worth of online information.
Glovo, a multi-category app has launched Glovo Local, a new programme for small and medium-sized businesses in the retail and restaurant industries to enable them to digitise their products and services in order to boost their growth.
Global Africa Radio, Noni Hub And Others Announced Winners At MTN Ayoba Momo Accelerator Awards
MTN Ayoba MoMo Accelerator has rewarded five startup businesses for their innovation in the tech space.The award was to push local businesses to leverage Ayoba as a platform to drive growth for businesses and push their services and products to customers outside.
Jetstream Africa a Ghanaian technology company operating in the logistics sector, has raised US$13million in equity and debt-funded pre-Series A.
GEA injects GH¢160m into high-growth SMEs
The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) is set for a new round of stimulus package to support high-growth potential small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to accelerate their growth in the country.
Digital talents
News updates
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