Collins Sefa The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), has officially opened the 2025 Africa Internet Summit in Accra, an event that also marks Ghana’s celebration of 30 years of Internet connectivity.
Ghana’s 30-Year Digital Journey
In his opening remarks, Hon. George reflected on Ghana’s pioneering decision in 1995 to connect to the global Internet despite limited infrastructure. He highlighted three decades of progress, citing:
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The establishment of the Ghana Internet Exchange in 2005.
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The landing of multiple submarine cables.
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The growth of a vibrant ecosystem of mobile broadband, cloud data centres, and innovation hubs supporting entrepreneurs, students, and businesses nationwide.
“The real success is not the cables, towers, or servers. It is the people – the young coders, network engineers, and entrepreneurs who are the heartbeat of Ghana’s digital revolution,” he said.
Challenges Ahead
The Minister, however, acknowledged ongoing challenges including uneven access, high connectivity costs, low digital literacy, and rising cybersecurity vulnerabilities. He stressed that overcoming these barriers was critical for inclusive growth and protecting Africa’s digital sovereignty.
He also commended the contributions of key national institutions such as the National Communications Authority (NCA), Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Ghana Domain Name Registry, National Information Technology Agency (NITA), and the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC) in expanding access, especially in underserved communities.
Priorities for Africa’s Digital Future
Hon. George outlined five strategic priorities for Africa’s digital transformation:
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Connecting Africa to itself to reduce reliance on external routing.
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Transitioning from consumers to creators of technology.
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Retaining digital value within Africa through open-source and AI frameworks.
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Powering the Internet with renewable energy for reliability and sustainability.
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Ensuring openness to innovation while protecting fair competition and consumers.
Linking to Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy
The Minister further tied these ambitions to government’s 24-Hour Economy agenda, designed to boost job creation and service delivery through round-the-clock access to digital platforms.
“Digital government services will allow citizens to register businesses, file taxes, and renew licences at any hour. E-commerce will enable farmers in remote towns to sell produce globally. Telemedicine and online education will flourish, supported by strong cybersecurity,” he explained.
Call to Action
Concluding his remarks, Hon. George urged stakeholders to view Internet connectivity as a springboard for economic transformation.
“Let us turn connectivity into capability, and capability into opportunity. Together, we can ensure that the Internet remains a powerful engine of jobs, innovation, and prosperity for the entire African continent,” he said.
