#OccupyGoogle: 2 Ghanaian companies; "Chatbot Africa" and "Solar Taxi" make it to Google's start up Accelerator programs.
Ghana's digital ecosystem week in review: Ghanaian Fintech Dash shuts down, BOG undecided on e-cedi roll out, MOE takes education online, Vodafone cash updates its zero charge offer and more...
Accra Digital Digest No. #100011
Date: October 2 - October 8, 2023
Dear Friends,
We know you love Mondaysđ. Happy new week! Here are the most important news, perspectives, analysis, and insights about the Ghanaian digital ecosystem from last week. Â
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Digital governance  Â
News updates  Â
Digital infrastructure and platforms
News updates
One student, One Tablet; Ministry of Education takes education online
Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has disclosed that a Learning Management System for Ghanaian schools currently under construction will soon be rolled out in some 30 schools around the country. Students in these schools will then be given tablets to access educational content through the platform
Digital finance
News updates Â
Ghanaian fintech Dash shuts down after raising $86.1 milion in five years
The Ghanaian fintech âDashâ is officially shutting down and laying off 50% of its work staff. The company in 2021 raised a staggering $32 million in seed funding but soon ran into several issues including its services being shut down in Ghana by the Bank of Ghana for failure to acquire a license, and their CEO, Prince Boakye Boampong, suspended for financial improprieties including the fabrication of figures.
Ghana places 2nd in Africa with 100% mobile money services growth
Ghana placed second behind CĂ´te dâIvoire in Africa in terms of growth of mobile money services, according to the 2023 Oxford Economics Africa Report titled âThe Africa Risk-Reward Indexâ. This impressive performance is in spite of the Electronic Transfer Levy (e-levy), which initially affected the volume and value of transaction when it was first introduced in May 2022.
Vodafone moves from Zero charges on cash transfers to a 0.5% fee.
In a market where customers were accustomed to paying a 1 percent fee on all transactions, Vodafone Cash users enjoyed zero charges on all their transactions â even across networks. Sadly, this has ended as Vodafone introduces a 0.5% charge to make up for rising operational costs.
Bank of Ghana undecided on eCedi roll-out
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has yet to decide a roadmap for the eCedi roll-out, despite a successful completion of the pilot last year, Head-FinTech and Innovation, BoG, Kwame Oppong, has said.The uncertainty surrounding official introduction of the digital currency, he explains, is due to the crunch economic conditions in the country marked by high inflation, rising debt stock and a rising cost of living.
Digital entrepreneurship Â
News updatesÂ
Google has selected Ghanaian company, Chatbots Africa as part of eleven startups selected for its AI First Program. The startups that were selected were chosen for using AI to navigate the challenges unique to Africa while carving out solutions on a global scale.
SolarTaxi Included In Climate Change Cohorts of  âGoogle For Startups Accelerator Programâ
Google has welcomed 11 startups including Solar taxi from Ghana for its inaugural Google for Startups Accelerator: Climate Change cohort. The start-ups would have a comprehensive and immersive experience designed to empower and elevate their climate change initiatives with the right guidance, mentorship, skill-building, and networking opportunities.
op-ed
Top 10 insights from the book âWhy Startups Failâ by Tom Eisemann
This op-ed explores the intersection of Eisenmannâs insights and the Ghanaian startup landscape, unveiling the strategies and considerations that can equip entrepreneurs and business leaders with the tools to succeed in this thriving Ghanaian startup landscape including common pitfalls to avoid.
Digital talents
News updatesÂ
Bank of Ghana launches e-cedi Innovation Challenge to drive CBDC development
In a significant collaborative effort with EMTECH Solutions Inc., the Bank of Ghana has unveiled the e-cedi Innovation Challenge, a dynamic hackathon aimed at fostering innovation within the realm of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). This initiative opens doors for Fintechs, developers and innovators to pioneer inventive solutions exploring diverse use cases for the e-cedi.
Thanks for reading this weekâs edition of the Accra Digital Digest.
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