Ghana Hosts First Future of Digital Countries Summit, Leaders Call for Secure and Inclusive Digital Transformation
Story by Eugene Nyarko Jnr. l Accra, Ghana l November 26, 2025
Ghana on Wednesday hosted the inaugural edition of the Future of Digital Countries (FDC) Summit, bringing together senior government officials, technology leaders, corporate executives and international partners to chart a path for Africa’s digital future. The summit, held at the Ghana Digital Centres Limited (GDCL) in Accra, underscored the continent’s growing ambition to build secure, innovative and inclusive digital economies.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Dzifa Gunu, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Digital Centres Limited, highlighted Ghana’s commitment to strengthening digital innovation, entrepreneurship and cybersecurity readiness.
“As we approach the close of 2025, this is the perfect time to reflect on how far we have come in building our digital future,” he said. “The Ghana Digital Centres Limited is ready for these conversations. We continue to provide world-class infrastructure, skills development and opportunity spaces that enable talent and businesses to thrive.”
Mr. Gunu outlined GDCL’s contributions, including the development of technology parks across Ghana, entrepreneurship training programmes, digital innovation support, and the Digital Innovation Fund. He also announced ongoing collaborations with global partners such as Oracle Corporation and UCLA, and called for deeper cooperation—particularly with Egyptian firms—on business process outsourcing opportunities.
He also celebrated Ghana’s rising digital talent, citing Miss Bubune Bianna Batosa, who placed second at Miss GIG Africa 2025 for her technology-driven project combating illegal mining.
Africa’s Digital Future is a Historic Opportunity — ACDT
Adding his voice, Kwesi Atuahene, Spokesperson for the Africa Center for Digital Transformation (ACDT), stressed that Africa’s digital revolution is unlike any other in the world.
“Africa’s digital future is not incremental modernization. It is a leap,” he said. “Many countries are not just upgrading old systems—they are building digital foundations from the ground up.”
He linked today’s digital partnerships between Ghana and Egypt to the historic Pan-African solidarity championed by Ghana’s Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Egypt’s Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Mr. Atuahene urged African governments, institutions and businesses to forge strong alliances at the summit, warning that without collaboration Africa risks replacing old colonial divides with new digital ones.
FDC Chairman Hails Ghana as Ideal Launchpad for Africa’s Digital Agenda
The FDC Summit Chairman, Eng. Tarek Shabaka, described the choice of Ghana as host as strategic, citing the country’s stable environment, innovation ecosystem, and strong cybersecurity and data protection frameworks.
“Ghana is not only ready for digital transformation; it is a true partner in shaping Africa’s digital future,” he remarked. “Africa is ready to innovate, secure its digital space and lead the global technology future. And Ghana is one of the key engines driving this.”
He announced FDC’s goal to upskill over 6,000 government employees in digital security, strengthen public-private partnerships, and support African startups, stressing that the summit represents an African movement—not just another event.
Health Sector Seeks AI Partnerships to Transform Patient Care
In a keynote presentation, Dr. Wisdom Atiwoto, Director of Research, Statistics and Information Management at the Ministry of Health, outlined Ghana’s efforts to deploy artificial intelligence to address rising health system complexities.
He highlighted seven priority AI use cases currently being explored, including reducing maternal mortality, emergency room bed management, clinical audit systems, supply chain tracking, and quality assurance monitoring in hospitals.
Dr. Atiwoto underscored the need for robust investments in rural connectivity, data centres, and interoperability to support Ghana’s digital health ambitions.
“Our strategies cannot be achieved alone. We require strong partnerships aligned with the objectives of the FDC Summit,” he said, calling on investors and technology providers to collaborate with the Ministry.
Good Governance is the Backbone of Digital Transformation — ACGN
The summit also heard from Rev. Mrs. Angela Carmen Appiah, CEO of the African Corporate Governance Network (ACGN), who stressed that Africa’s digital aspirations cannot be fulfilled without strong governance structures.
“Security is a governance issue. Resilience is a governance issue. Inclusion is a governance issue,” she declared. “A secure digital economy is not built on firewalls alone—it is also built in the boardroom.”
Representing over 20,500 directors and senior executives across 20 governance institutes in Africa, she said the ACGN is committed to shaping a new era of “digital directors” capable of steering institutions through technological shifts.
She urged African leaders to anchor digital transformation on integrity, accountability and equitable access, insisting that “our digital future must also be dignified, secure and truly African.”
Summit Continues With High-Level Cybersecurity and Policy Dialogues
The FDC Summit continues with panel discussions featuring representatives from the Cyber Security Authority, National Communications Authority, Ghana Digital Centres Limited, and the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), among others.
The summit is expected to produce policy recommendations and partnership frameworks aimed at building an inclusive, secure and prosperous digital ecosystem for Ghana, West Africa and the continent at large.
