Tax Alert: Government Imposes 21% VAT on Facebook and Instagram Ads Starting August 1
Ghana's digital ecosystem week in review: DPC scaling up enforcement, NCA introduces tech neutrality, Ghana Q1 fintech report launched, VISA invites startups into its Africa accelerator ...
Accra Digital Digest No. #011000
Date: July 17 - July 23, 2023
Dear Friends,
Here are the most important news, perspectives, analysis, and insights about Ghanaian digital ecosystem last week.
Digital governance
News updates
Meta, the company behind Instagram, Facebook, and Instagram will apply Ghana’s VAT charges across its ad platforms starting on August 1st, 2023. According to Meta’s help page, all Meta ads in Ghana are subject to a value-added tax (VAT) and levies at the applicable local tax and levy rates. This will apply to advertisers whose ‘Sold To’ country is on their business or who have their personal address set to Ghana.
The Data Protection Commission is scaling up enforcement of the Data Protection Act 2012, (Act 843) with an exercise which commences from August 14, 2023. The Act sets out the rules and principles governing the collection, use, disclosure and care of personal data or information by a data controller or processor.
Digital infrastructure & platforms
News updates
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has announced measures towards correcting market imbalances and boosting consumer choice in the telecommunications sector with the introduction of technology neutrality for non-SMP operators. According to the NCA, its new initiative is to help address Significant Market Power (SMP) in the sector by enabling operators who do not currently have 4G services to deploy it within their current spectrum assignment to help level the playing field and enhance their competitiveness.
Zeta Technologies Ltd, a Ghanaian software development company, has officially launched its highly anticipated MEGA6 Lotto game, ushering in a new era of digital lottery gaming in Ghana. The launch event, held last Friday, unveiled the innovative game and highlighted the unique features that set Mega6 apart from other industry players.
Bolt is set to launch a new feature as part of its in-app safety toolkit, allowing drivers and riders to trigger an audio recording of their trip in the Bolt app if they ever feel uncomfortable during a ride and report it to the Customer Support team.
More than 1000 of the 2016 Cell Sites being constructed across the country by the government to improve internet penetration to bridge the digital divide have been completed, Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, has stated.
Digital finance
News updates
Sustineri Attorneys PRUC, a Ghanaian law firm focused on providing legal services to Start-ups and Fintech Companies has released the 2nd quarter Ghana Fintech Report. The Q2 edition delved into the dynamic landscape of Fintech innovation, capturing the evolving trends, risk, and regulatory challenges that are reshaping the financial sector.
Digital entrepreneurship
News updates
Visa, a global payments technology company, is now accepting applications for its Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator program specifically for startups in Africa and will run twice a year for 12 weeks, with up to 20 startups per cohort.
Digital talents
News updates
Fido recently had the opportunity to host a team of students from Harvard Business School in Accra for one week as part of a required course called FIELD Immersion. Fido was one of 171 FIELD Immersion Project Partners spanning 15 cities across 15 states.
Vodafone Ghana’s CEO, Patricia Obo-Nai, has reiterated Vodafone Ghana’s commitment to fostering female talent in the science and technology sectors.
The CEO was speaking when she joined a panel of speakers at the “Inspiring the Next Generation of Women Innovators” event held at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) last week.
Thanks for reading this week’s edition of the Accra Digital Digest.
Please spread the word about this newsletter to your friends, co-workers, and tech enthusiasts in your network.
Send us an email at brian@nodeeight.org if you have any news update or op-eds you would want us to feature.
Cheers! 🍻