Telecel, the new Vodafone to connect everyone in Ghana via satellite-direct-to-standard-phone technology.
Ghana's digital ecosystem week in review: RIP to MTN zone bundle and unregistered SIM cards, Regional impact investment summit coming to Accra, Farmerline expands to Cote d’Ivoire, and more ...
Accra Digital Digest No. #001100
Date: April 4 - April 16, 2023
Dear friends,
We trust you had a relaxing Easter holidays. We welcome you back to work with the most important news, perspectives, analysis, and insights about Ghanaian digital ecosystem you missed over the period.
Digital infrastructure & platforms
News updates
Telecel brings satellite-direct-to-standard phone to Ghana
Telecel Group has signed a commercial contract with leading satellite-direct-to-standard phone provider, Lynk Global, Inc. (Lynk), to bring Lynk’s services to Africa, particularly to the subscribers of Vodafone Ghana.
MTN explains why it suspended its Data Zone bundle
MTN Ghana, has announced the suspension of its MTN Data Zone bundle effective April 05, 2023. Subscribers of the package had taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the development with many calling for its reintroduction.
EY, Microsoft unleashes the power of data and AI
EY, in partnership with Microsoft, recently organised a data management event aimed at providing pointers on how organisations can leverage unified data and AI to optimise performance in Accra.
NCA short code to help verify phone numbers linked to Ghana Cards
The National Communication Authority has revealed it is working with Telcos to build a short code where Ghanaians can use to verify if their sim cards is linked to their Ghana card.
Digital governance
News updates
Google bans personal loan apps from accessing user contacts
From the end of May, Google Play apps providing personal loans will not be allowed to access the handset’s external storage, photos and videos, contacts, precise location and call logs. According to TechCrunch, there have been multiple reports of debt collectors using information such as contacts to harass borrowers.
NCA orders telcos to delink all blocked SIMS from its databases by April 17
Telecommunication companies have been ordered to have been ordered by the National Communication Authority to delink all disconnected SIM cards from their database by April 17, 2023.
ECG disconnects Accra Digital Centre over GH¢600K ECG debt
The Accra West regional taskforce of the Electricity Company of Ghana has cut power to the Accra Digital Center over non-payment of some GH¢600,000 debt.
Digital finance
News updates
Impact Investing Ghana (IIGh) and Nigeria National Advisory Board for Impact Investing (Nigeria NABII) together with impact investing taskforces in Burkina Faso and Senegal have announced the 1st West Africa Deal Summit and 2nd Ghana Impact Summit slated for 16th and 17th May 2023, at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra Ghana and virtually.
Pipe Cohort to help accelerate Ghanaian FinTech startups
Ghana Fintech and Payments Association (GFPA) in partnership with StartOA and FXKudi have launched an accelerator program called Pipe Cohort to help move FinTech startups in the country to the next level.
Wangara Capital Invests USD 500,000 in North Lite Solar Limited
Wangara Capital Limited, a green impact investment fund has announced the investment of USD 500,000 in North Lite Solar Limited, a renewable energy service provider to provide solar electrification projects.
Digital entrepreneurship
News updates
15 Ghanaian start-ups pitch for up to $50,000 funding
Some 15 Ghanaian startups have participated in the maiden Ghana Startup-Investor Connect program with a chance to get between $20,000 and $50,000 to help accelerate their respective innovations to the next level.
Farmerline Expands Its Operations To Cote D’Ivoire
Farmerline, a leading agritech company has announced its expansion into francophone Africa with an official launch of operations in Cote d’Ivoire. The expansion will see Ivorian farmers benefit from access to high-quality fertilizers and seeds; free education on climate-smart farming practices via a shortcode and connections to international markets.
Solar Taxi Granted Assembling License To Manufacture Electric Cars In Ghana
SolarTaxi, an EV startup in Ghana, has been granted a manufacturing license for the manufacturing of electric vehicles in Ghana.
Digital talents
News updates
Kibo Launches Applications For 2nd Cohort For Computer Science Program
Kibo, an online school that offers several STEM degree programs targeted at students in Africa, has recently launched applications for the 2nd cohort of Kibo’s 3-year Computer Science BSc program.
TikTok Graduates Its First Group Of Content Creators From Its Africa Creator Hub
TikTok’s Africa Creator Hub has graduated its first group of content creators from Kenya. The incubator program, developed in partnership with Wowzi, is designed to help emerging creators from Sub-Saharan Africa hone their digital skill sets and turn their creativity into a sustainable career on the world’s fastest-growing entertainment platform.
Vodafone Ghana’s ‘Code like a girl’ kicks-off
Vodafone Ghana launched the latest edition of its “Code Like a Girl” initiative. It is a free coding programme for girls between the ages of seven and 18 that aims to address this issue and empower more girls to pursue STEM education and careers.
GIFEC provides training for 4,335 Ghanaians
Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) has commenced digital skills training for 4,335 citizens, in Basic ICT Skills and Entrepreneurship, as part of the Digital Transformation Centres Project (DTC).Encourage African Girls into STEM – Dr. Tom Ilube
Dr. Tom Ilube CBE, chair and founder of African Gifted Foundation, has encouraged young females across Africa to immerse themselves in science and technology. He made this statement during the inauguration of a new robotics and laboratory block for the African Science Academy, an all-girls STEM educational institution in Tema.
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