Ghana has reasserted its ambition to lead Africa’s digital financial transformation, as government and industry stakeholders gathered at the Bank Square in Accra for the press engagement ahead of the 3i Africa Summit 2026.
Delivering his remarks, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, underscored government’s commitment to building a people-cantered digital economy that translates technological advancement into tangible improvements in livelihoods.
The summit, themed “The Next Frontier: Shaping Africa’s Integrated Fintech Future,” is expected to serve as a major platform for dialogue, policy direction, and investment mobilisation within Africa’s rapidly evolving fintech ecosystem.
Mr. Nartey George commended the Bank of Ghana for its leadership in convening the summit, describing it as a critical platform to drive collaboration between policymakers, investors, and innovators across the continent.
He noted that under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, Ghana’s digital transformation agenda is guided by a clear principle, ensuring that technology serves the people and delivers real economic value.
“Our focus is on building a digital economy that drives job creation, promotes inclusion, supports enterprise, and expands opportunity across all segments of society,” he stated.
The Minister revealed that government is shifting from fragmented digital initiatives to a coordinated national strategy, anchored by the proposed Data Harmonisation Bill, which seeks to integrate infrastructure, innovation, skills development, and public service delivery into a unified system.
He further indicated that efforts are underway to expand access to affordable and reliable connectivity, strengthen digital public infrastructure, and create an enabling environment for local innovation to thrive.
Particular emphasis was placed on empowering Ghana’s informal sector, which employs millions, through access to digital tools and financial services.
According to the Minister, fintech remains central to Ghana’s economic strategy, playing a key role in enhancing financial inclusion and supporting business growth.
“It enables participation, allows farmers to receive payments securely, supports small businesses to access credit, and helps young entrepreneurs build solutions that can scale beyond our borders,” he said.
Mr. Nartey George also highlighted ongoing developments across Africa’s fintech space, including the rise of interoperable payment systems, increased mobile money adoption, and growing collaboration between regulators and innovators.
He disclosed that Ghana’s upcoming SIM registration exercise will play a crucial role in strengthening the digital financial ecosystem by enabling lenders to better assess the creditworthiness of customers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
Looking ahead, the Minister stressed that Africa’s next phase of growth must be driven by system integration, coherent policies, and interconnected markets across the continent.
He echoed Ghana’s pledge to advancing forward-looking regulatory frameworks, strengthening public-private partnerships, and investing in digital skills development to sustain growth in the sector.
“Africa can shape the digital financial space to reflect our realities and our needs. We have the foundation to lead, not just participate,” he declared.
The Minister called on stakeholders, including policymakers, investors, innovators, and development partners to actively participate in the upcoming summit.
The 3i Africa Summit 2026 is expected to bring together key players from across the continent and beyond to chart a unified path for Africa’s fintech future.
