2024 Ghana Digital and Innovation Week

On behalf of the United Nations in Ghana, I extend a warm welcome to you all to the 2024 Ghana Digital and Innovation Week (GDIW). Appreciate Organizers and Collaborators I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the organizers of the 2024 Ghana Digital & Innovation Week, particularly GDIW team, Impact Investing Ghana, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, UKAID, GIZ, UNCDF, ITC, UNDP, Telecel and all others related in one way or the other. Your tireless efforts, dedication, and passion have and is making this platform a beacon for innovation and entrepreneurship in Ghana. Give Some Reflections on the Theme and statistics to back GDIW’s relevance The theme for this Week-long celebration, “Innovate Together: Collaborating for Digital Transformation and Impact,” reflects the essence of our collective aspirations—not just for Ghana, but for Africa as a whole. Digital transformation is now at the heart of economic and social progress. The world of digital technology is evolving at a breakneck pace, and we must leverage our collective expertise and resources to drive impactful solutions. The digital economy has become a significant driver of global growth, valued at $11.5 trillion in 2016, accounting for 15.5% of global GDP. This trend is expected to continue, with digital-driven economic growth forecasted to reach 25% in less than a decade. In Africa, the digital economy is projected to surge to over $300 billion by 2025. Globally, businesses are embracing digital transformation, with 91% engaged in digital initiatives and 40% having brought these initiatives to scale. Moreover, 89% of companies have adopted or plan to adopt a digital-first business strategy. This underscores the immense potential we must harness. However, despite this progress, the global digital divide persists, with an estimated 2.6 billion people remaining offline in 2023, primarily in low-income countries where only one in four individuals use the internet. To bridge this gap, digital transformation spending reached $1.5 trillion in 2021 and was expected to skyrocket to $6.8 trillion by 2023. As digital competitiveness becomes increasingly crucial, countries are ranked accordingly, highlighting the need for continued innovation and investment in the digital economy. Highlight some further statistics on Ghana’s digital ecosystem and relevance of GDIW It is refreshing to note that Ghana’s digital ecosystem has witnessed significant growth, with about 24 million Ghanaians active internet users (equivalent to 70% internet penetration rate). Mobile phone connectivity is equally impressive, with 41.5 million mobile connections, representing 129% of the country’s population. E-commerce in Ghana has seen growth of 28% annually, and the digital services sector is now contributing over 9% to GDP. In sectors such as financial inclusion, we are witnessing transformative change: Ghana's mobile money penetration has reached 87%, making it one of the highest in Africa. This digital revolution has connected millions to banking services that were previously out of reach. With the government’s digital initiatives, including Ghana's e-payment platforms and the development of over 200,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable infrastructure, the foundation is being laid for sustained growth. Let me commend Ghana for its significant digital transformation initiatives such as the Ghana Card, Digital Address System, Mobile Money Payments Interoperability System, Ghana.Gov Payments Platform, and many other initiatives. This is a testament of Ghana’s commitment to promote the development of its digital economy. However, challenges such as low broadband speed, high internet costs, and dependency on externally owned digital infrastructure remain. The Ghana Digital and Innovation Week offers a platform for innovation and Growth. I am happy to note that since its inception in 2021, participants and stakeholders of the platform continue to expand across six Regions and more are expected to join, reflecting the national expansion of digital innovation. Ghana's economy, led by the services sector, is evolving quickly. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) play a key role, contributing 18% to total employment and forecasted to drive 40% of future economic growth. As digital-driven economic growth is predicted to outpace traditional growth sectors, Ghana must seize the opportunity to position itself as one of the leaders in Africa’s digital future. The global digital economy is projected to grow by 15% per year, and Ghana is well-placed to harness this potential. To innovate together, we need to cultivate a robust framework—a digital ecosystem that encourages cross-disciplinary partnerships. This means investing in education, providing training that fosters digital skills, and encouraging mentorship programs that connect experienced professionals with emerging talent. We must also prioritize transparency and open communication. Creating spaces—both physical and virtual—where ideas can flow freely is essential. Hackathons, innovation labs, and community forums should become staples of our collaborative efforts. In these environments, we can brainstorm, experiment, and refine our ideas together, transforming them into actionable plans. The United Nations' Commitment to Ghana’s Digital Future The United Nations is proud to be part of this remarkable journey. Globally, the UN is working with governments to support bridge the digital divide and promote inclusive growth. It is estimated that 2.7 billion people remain offline, the majority of whom are in developing countries. Working through various interventions the UN is supporting and partnering government to foster digital literacy, tools and systems, infrastructure development and scaling innovative solutions that can empower underserved communities. We continue to support Ghana’s digital transformation agenda through our Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2023-2025). The framework focuses on ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth and transformation, access to basic and quality social services and durable peace and security, across which digital connectivity play a crucial role. The UN is currently implementing approximately 46 digital initiatives with catalytic funding of circa US$14 million. These initiatives span various sectors, including food systems, health, trade, finance, education, and peace and security. Highlight the Joint SDG Fund Digital Project In partnership with the Joint SDG Fund and the EU, we are implementing a high impact digital transformation joint project led by UNDCF, UNCTAD and UNDP, with the aim of leveraging digital ecosystems for increased MSMES’ productivity. The joint programme will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ghana Enterprise Agency, Financial Services Providers and other Private Sector institutions. The joint programme will invest circa US$3.6 million to catalyze and leverage additional US$12 million within the digital and MSMEs ecosystems. Emphasize digital connectivity as part of the UN Six Transitions Our renewed approach to supporting Ghana's digital transformation agenda is aligned and informed by the UN's Six Transitions framework, which emphasizes digital connectivity as one of the six transformative and integrated entry points that can have catalytic and multiplier effects across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The other five are Food systems; Energy access and affordability; Education; Jobs and social protection; and Climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. As we discuss the future of digital transformation and innovation in Ghana, it is important to emphasise that these transitions represent a useful organizing frame that can spotlight investment pathways to accelerate SDG progress within and across countries. People-Centric Digital Innovation As we gather here today, it is crucial to remember that our digital journey is not just about technology; it is about people. The human element remains at the core of every innovation and transformation. The future of Ghana’s growth lies in its ability to scale digital solutions that benefit all citizens—from bustling urban centers to the most remote communities. According to a World Bank report, the African continent needs 1 million new digital jobs every year to keep pace with the youth population, and Ghana must play its part in meeting this demand. Looking Ahead: The Summit of the Future and the Pact for the Future As we look ahead, global leaders have recently adopted the Pact for the Future at the 2024 Summit of the Future. This landmark agreement reimagines global cooperation to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, particularly the accelerating pace of digitalization. The outcomes of the Pact emphasize the need to harness technology for sustainable development, bridge the digital divide, and ensure that digital transformation benefits all communities equitably. It underscores the role of collaboration in fostering innovation and building resilient digital economies. Call to Action: Innovation for Inclusive Growth Throughout this week of discussions, innovations, and collaborations, I encourage you all to reflect on how we can each contribute to this digital transformation. With the world watching, Ghana’s success story will depend on how well we scale our digital innovations to improve lives, create jobs, and strengthen our economy. Conclusion: Gratitude and Looking Forward In conclusion, I want to express my deep appreciation to the organizers of this event, particularly Impact Investing Ghana and the GDIW platform. I also extend my gratitude to our partners in government, the private sector, and the international community, whose support has been instrumental in moving this agenda forward. Once again, thank you for your dedication and passion. Together, let us innovate, collaborate, and create a future where digital transformation leads to sustainable development and inclusive growth for all. I wish you all a successful and inspiring Ghana Digital & Innovation Week 2024. Thank you