Speaking to attendees at the opening ceremony, the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, emphasized the importance of African-led digital transformation. “Africa must no longer be just a consumer of technology designed elsewhere; we must build, own, and lead our digital destiny,” he said. Highlighting government interventions, Mr Ablakwa pointed to Ghana’s e-visa system as a key step towards regional integration and enhanced mobility across the continent. He emphasized the critical role of strong digital infrastructure and policies that ensured no African was left behind in the digital economy.

Chief Digital Officer at MTN Ghana, Ibrahim Misto highlighted MTN’s investment of over $1 billion in Ghana’s digital infrastructure over the last12 years, including $240 million this year to expand fiber, 4G, and 5G networks. These efforts, he noted, supported a secure and inclusive digital economy. Mr Misto also shared MTN’s recent innovations, such as the Momo Business App for SMEs and Abena AI, Ghana’s first multilingual invoicing system in local languages, helping to boost access for entrepreneurs.

Mr Misto called for collaboration between government, regulators, and industry to build a digital identity that was truly African, secure, and sovereign. He stressed the need for forward-looking policies that protected consumers while encouraging innovation and cross-border trade under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). He noted that Africa’s digital future depended on collective effort to become creators, not just consumers, of technology.

Matilda Asante, Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, emphasized the critical role of digital financial infrastructure in driving Ghana’s economic growth and inclusion. She highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize payment systems, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and promote interoperability among banks and fintech companies. Central to these initiatives was the e-Cedi,  which she said, was Ghana’s digital currency, describing it as a secure and efficient tool to expand financial access, particularly for underserved communities. Madam Asante also stressed the importance of data privacy and consumer protection as the country embraced new technologies, emphasizing that a robust, trusted digital payment ecosystem was essential for Ghana’s continued progress in the digital economy.

Honourable Deputy Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Mohammed Adams Sukparu, emphasised government’s “RESET AGENDA,” aimed at accelerating digital inclusion and expanding access to technology for all Ghanaians. He praised MOBEX as a platform that united stakeholders to advance Ghana’s digital ambitions.

George Spencer Quaye, CEO of MOBEX Africa, highlighted their evolution from a modest innovation showcase into a pan-African movement championing innovation, infrastructure, inclusion, and impact. He urged attendees to convert discussions into actionable strategies that  would drive Africa’s digital transformation.

Moses Kwesi Baiden, CEO of Margins ID Group explained how the Ghana Card served as a trusted verification tool for government agencies, reducing fraud and improving service delivery across sectors including healthcare, taxation, education, and border security. Mr Baiden emphasized that the system’s locally owned and managed architecture offered a sustainable model for digital identity on the continent, reinforcing Ghana’s position as a leader in digital governance.

Over the next three days, MOBEX Africa 2025 would host a series of panels and sessions covering digital payments, identity systems, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, financial inclusion, and so on with a focus on turning ideas into practical solutions that empower Africa’s digital future.

Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa