By Ruth Serwaa Asare
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George (MP), has reiterated Ghana’s commitment to building a digitally inclusive economy through collaboration and innovation across the African continent.
Speaking at the African FinTech Summit in Accra, the Minister highlighted Ghana’s notable strides in digital finance, particularly in mobile money interoperability. He noted that “over 90% of the adult population in Ghana now has access to mobile financial services, a testament to our dedication to financial inclusion and digital transformation.”
Sam George emphasised that Africa is no longer a bystander in the global fintech revolution but a major force driving innovation. “Africa is not a passive follower in the global fintech transformation; we are active pioneers,” he said, referencing the continent’s early adoption of mobile money systems such as M-Pesa and MoMo.
He called for deeper Pan-African collaboration to sustain the momentum, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). “We must leverage AfCFTA to harmonise payment systems, build trust, and enhance cross-border trade. The future of African fintech depends on our ability to integrate and collaborate,” he stated.
Outlining the key pillars that should guide the continent’s fintech growth, Minister George identified inclusion, trust, and integration as the three defining imperatives. He also urged African financial leaders to adopt the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) instead of relying solely on the traditional SWIFT network.
“Our central bank governors must begin to see PAPSS not as an alternative, but as the future. If AfCFTA is to succeed, we must trade in our own currencies, through our own systems,” he added.
The Minister further explained that government’s role is to facilitate innovation, not hinder it. “Government must serve as an active enabler and a responsible custodian, not a barrier to progress through overregulation,” he said.
Hon. George concluded by commending the Africa FinTech Summit for providing a platform that celebrates African creativity and technological progress. “This summit is more than an event; it is a movement that recognises African ingenuity. The world must look to Ghana as a model of inclusive digital innovation,” he affirmed.
