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MTN Ghana’s Chief Digital Officer, Ibrahim Misto, has called for a bold and united effort to redefine Africa’s digital identity, urging stakeholders to build an ecosystem that is secure, inclusive, and authentically African.
Speaking at the 10th Anniversary of the MOBEX Africa Tech Expo & Innovation Awards on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at the Kempinski Gold Coast City, Accra, the MTN executive said the time had come for Africa to “reset” its digital sovereignty by taking ownership of its data, infrastructure, and digital narratives.
“For far too long, Africa’s digital identity has been fragmented and often defined by others. A true reset means building a future where our digital presence, our data, and our innovations reflect who we are — secure, sovereign, and proudly African,” he said. Mr. Misto emphasized that MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy places digital inclusion at the heart of its operations, aimed at leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress. Over the past five years, MTN Ghana has invested more than US$1 billion in digital infrastructure, with an additional US$240 million committed in 2025 to expand fibre, 4G, and 5G connectivity. He added that these investments form part of a broader vision to create a connected and inclusive digital economy.
“We are not just building networks; we are building the foundation for a digital future that includes every Ghanaian,” he noted. Highlighting innovations showcased at MTN DigiFest 2025, Mr. Misto cited the MoMo Business App for SMEs, Abena AI—Ghana’s first multilingual voice assistant fluent in six local languages—and youth-focused eSports initiatives as examples of local innovation driving inclusion.
“These innovations prove that Africa’s digital future must be built by Africans, for Africans,” he added.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Okudzeto Ablakwa, commended MOBEX Africa for a decade of advancing innovation, stressing that Africa must move beyond dependence on foreign digital systems. “Sovereignty in the 21st century is not just about territorial integrity, it’s about digital autonomy and the ability to shape our own technological destiny,” he said.
The Minister underscored Ghana’s leadership role in promoting digital integration through frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). He further called for stronger cooperation among African states to harmonize digital policies, enhance cybersecurity, and ensure that Africa’s digital trade frameworks reflect African interests.
Reflecting on the milestone, George Spencer Quaye, CEO of MOBEX Africa, recounted the platform’s decade-long journey of promoting digital inclusion and innovation across the continent.
He expressed gratitude to partners, sponsors, and participants who have supported MOBEX Africa through challenging times — including the pandemic and economic uncertainty — while keeping the spirit of innovation alive. “Ten years of consistency in Ghana’s tech space is no small feat,” he said. “Our mission has always been to create a platform that celebrates African ingenuity, connects innovators, and inspires the next generation of digital creators.”
Mr. Quaye reaffirmed MOBEX Africa’s commitment to remaining a catalyst for digital excellence and regional collaboration in the years ahead.
