Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) Dr. Ernest Addison, speaking at the prestigious 30th anniversary celebration of the African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank), held under the theme “Unlocking Africa’s Trade, Investment, and Commerce Opportunities Leveraging Digital Platforms and Ecosystems,” emphasized the urgent need for policymakers to explore innovative approaches and pathways to fully unlock and deploy the immense potential of Africa’s trade, investment, and commerce opportunities.
At the heart of this transformation, according to Dr. Addison, lies the imperative for Africa to harness and leverage the vast potential of digital platforms and ecosystems. Acknowledging the transformative power of technology, which has revolutionized industries worldwide, the Governor stressed the importance of Africa seizing this opportunity to fuel economic growth and foster regional integration. To achieve this, he outlined three critical channels through which the continent can capitalize on digital advancements.
First and foremost, enhancing digital infrastructure was deemed paramount. Recognizing that access to reliable and affordable internet connectivity serves as the bedrock for the thriving of digital platforms, Dr. Addison called for collaborative efforts between governments and private sector stakeholders to invest in broadband infrastructure, expand network coverage, and bridge the digital divide both within and across countries. By ensuring seamless connectivity, businesses, entrepreneurs, and consumers can fully participate in the digital economy, thus seizing new trade and investment opportunities.
Secondly, the Governor highlighted the significance of fostering digital entrepreneurship and innovation. Africa boasts a wealth of entrepreneurial talent, particularly among its technologically-savvy youth population, which must be nurtured and supported. Dr. Addison emphasized the need for establishing incubation centers, implementing mentorship programs, and facilitating access to funding to empower startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing innovative solutions that address the unique challenges and needs of the continent. By encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation, Africa can drive job creation, stimulate economic diversification, and attract investment across key sectors.
Lastly, promoting digital skills development emerged as an imperative component of Africa’s digital transformation journey. Dr. Addison underscored that digital literacy and proficiency are essential prerequisites for individuals and businesses to fully harness the potential of digital platforms. Educational institutions, in collaboration with private sector entities, were urged to design and implement programs that equip the continent’s youth and workforce with the necessary digital skills and knowledge. By investing in training and upskilling initiatives, Africa can foster a highly empowered workforce capable of driving innovation, productivity, and competitiveness in the digital era.
Expanding on the commitment of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Addison stated that the institution is dedicated to supporting digitalization efforts and providing an enabling regulatory environment for fintechs and financial institutions to unlock Africa’s trade, investment, and commerce opportunities through digital platforms and ecosystems. Notably, the Governor highlighted the Bank of Ghana’s involvement in initiatives such as the MANSA Platform and integration with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which aim to streamline processes, enhance transparency, and facilitate seamless transactions. Dr. Addison extended an invitation to financial institutions and private businesses to actively engage in these initiatives, emphasizing the transformative power of digitalization to shape a prosperous future for Africa.
