Accra: Speakers at the MOBEX Africa Tech Expo and Innovation Awards 2025 have called for a united African approach to digital transformation, emphasizing data sovereignty, cybersecurity, and the development of local solutions to drive sustainable economic growth. The annual event brought together leaders from technology, finance, and policy to discuss how Africa can assert control over its digital future through innovation, collaboration, and regulatory consistency.

According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ibrahim Misto, Chief Digital Officer of MTN Ghana, emphasized that Africa’s digital identity must be shaped by Africans themselves, not defined by external entities. “For too long, Africa’s identity has been managed by others. We must take collective action to secure our data, infrastructure, and technological future,” he said. He highlighted MTN Ghana’s continuous investments, saying, over US$1 billion in the past decade and US$140 million in 2025 alone to expand its 4G and power network coverage. These, he said, are part of MTN’s mission to build an inclusive, secure, and innovative digital economy.

Mr. Misto noted that MTN was also advancing financial inclusion through products such as MoMo Business, a digital management tool for SMEs, and supporting local innovation through youth-focused tech programmes, gaming partnerships, and AI development initiatives. “Technology must reflect who we are, our culture, our languages, and our aspirations. The digital future of Africa will not simply happen to us; it is something we must create together,” he added.

In her address, Mrs. Matilda Asante-Asiedu, Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, stressed that privacy and data protection must form the foundation of Africa’s digital transformation. “Privacy by design is not a feature but it is the foundation,” she said. “Digital payment systems and wallets must collect only necessary data and operate with explicit consent.” She cautioned that while the digital economy was expanding rapidly, cyber threats and fraud are evolving just as fast. To safeguard users, she called for smarter security defaults, real-time transaction alerts, and industry-wide information sharing to detect and prevent fraud.

Mrs. Asante-Asiedu added that cross-border payment efficiency remained a key frontier, noting that platforms like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and the proposed African Currency Integration Framework would help reduce dependency on foreign currencies and deepen regional liquidity. “Inclusion must not come at the cost of surveillance, urging policymakers and service providers to strike a balance between innovation, user protection, and privacy,” she warned.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Mohammed Adams Sukparu, Deputy Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, reaffirmed government’s commitment to making Ghana a leading hub for digital innovation in Africa. “Our independence in the digital era depends on how we control our data systems and technological resources,” the Deputy Minister said. He added that Africa’s digital transformation must go beyond government policy and include industry partnerships, local innovation, and community-driven solutions that reflected the continent’s values and needs.

MOBEX Africa, now in its 10th year, continues to serve as a major platform for showcasing technological innovation, fostering dialogue between government and industry, and recognizing excellence in Africa’s fast-evolving digital landscape.