The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Mr Samuel Nartey George, has emphasised the country’s commitment to building a digitally inclusive economy.
Speaking at the African FinTech Summit on Thursday in Accra, Mr George highlighted Ghana’s achievements in mobile money interoperability, which has provided over 90% of the adult population with access to mobile financial services.
The Minister said Africa is not just a passive follower in global fintech transformation but an active pioneer, citing the continent’s early adoption of mobile money transactions like M-Pesa and MoMo.
He emphasised the need for pan-African collaboration, particularly in leveraging the Africa Free Continental Trade Area (AfCFTA) to harmonise payment systems.
He outlined three central imperatives for defining Africa’s fintech landscape: Inclusion, Trust, and Integration.
Mr George called for Central Bank governors to utilise the Pan-African Payment System (PAPS) instead of the conventional SWIFT system to promote African growth and ensure the success of the AFCFTA.
He stated that the role of government is to act as an “active enabler and a responsible custodian” rather than hinder progress through excessive regulation.
He celebrated the Africa Fintech Summit as a movement recognising African ingenuity and invited the world to view Ghana as a model of inclusive digital innovation.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
