Samuel Nartey George Kicks Off Ministerial Duties in Paris, Advocates for Africa’s Digital Future
Ghana’s newly appointed Minister of Communications, Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, began his tenure on the international stage, attending the AI Action Summit 2025 in Paris. During the conference, he highlighted the importance of Africa developing valuable datasets that can attract global interest while ensuring digital sovereignty.
“Ghana is not just another African country; it is the gateway to the continent,” he emphasized, countering claims that Nigeria is the dominant force in Africa. He stressed that African nations collectively possess the human capital needed by the Western world and should leverage this potential for growth.
Establishing a National Data Exchange Hub
Minister George outlined the government’s plan to create a centralized data exchange hub that will store and manage government data securely. He noted that Ghana’s Mobile Money system has already revolutionized financial inclusion, and similar digital innovations can be applied to other sectors such as telemedicine, e-agriculture, and fintech.
Digital Skills Training for the Future
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to training one million Ghanaians in digital skills, including coding, data analysis, and cybersecurity. He emphasized the need for robust data protection measures to secure users’ information as Ghana advances in the digital space. “We must unite our efforts instead of working in isolation,” he stated.
A New Era for Financial Technology in Africa
Discussing intra-African trade, George criticized the reliance on the SWIFT payment system, which is controlled from the United States and profits from African transactions without direct contributions to the continent’s economy.
He proposed an African financial technology system that would enable direct currency transactions between countries—eliminating the need to convert local currencies to the U.S. dollar first. This, he explained, would allow a Kenyan farmer to sell products to a Ghanaian buyer without unnecessary currency exchange hurdles.
Harnessing Data for Security and Economic Growth
George also stressed the importance of geolocation-linked SIM cards to enhance security, making it easier to track individuals even if they change locations. He concluded by calling for stronger collaboration among African nations to build a comprehensive data infrastructure that supports digital trade, financial inclusion, and economic transformation.
With these initiatives, Samuel Nartey George envisions positioning Ghana—and Africa—as a key player in the global digital economy.
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