Accelerate financial inclusion through cross-border mobile transactions in Africa  – Telecel Ghana CEO

Patricia Obo-Nai, the CEO of Telecel Ghana, has called on African govern­ments, telecommu­nication companies, and financial service providers to remove obstacles that are imped­ing progress towards a cash-lite society and improved cross-border transactions.

Speaking at the Africa Prosperity Dialogue 2024 at Aburi, she em­phasised that joint ownership was required among regulatory bodies in Africa, telcos, banks and fin­techs to make cross border mobile wallet interoperability a reality.

Her appeal resonated with the conversations that took place at the two-day summit, which fo­cused on “Developing prosperity in Africa: producing, adding value, and trading,” and aimed at address­ing ongoing trade obstacles in the African market.

“This prompts us to delve deeper into the realm of financial technology solutions, a consider­ation we have actively explored at Telecel. Our objective is to mitigate fees and costs for our consumers, as we navigate through this economic landscape, foster­ing greater financial inclusion and accessibility for a broader segment of the population,” she added.

She shared the story of a ‘Kayayei’ from another African nation working in Ghana, high­lighting challenges in cross-border remittance and cumbersome cash transactions.

She stressed the need to extend mobile money benefits globally, commending Ghana’s progress in mobile finance.

Patricia also addressed data se­curity and privacy concerns, urging regulatory prioritisation.

Recognising mobile operators’ advancements, she emphasised the necessity of universally accepted frameworks, collaborating to tackle issues such as interoperability and cybersecurity for seamless cross-border transactions.

At the closing dinner of the event, which was sponsored by Telecel Group, the current majori­ty shareholders of Ghana Tele­communication Company Limited (GTCL), Mr Nicolas Bourg, who is also the Group Chairman of Telecel, highlighted Telecel’s piv­otal role as the emerging leader in Ghana’s telecom industry.

Emphasising the company’s unwavering confidence in the country’s appeal to foreign inves­tors, Mr Bourg underscored the significance of Telecel’s recent acquisition, securing a command­ing 70 per cent equity stake.

“This strategic move is poised to catalyse transformative benefits for Ghana’s telecom landscape, positioning Telecel as a formida­ble contender in the competitive arena,” he said.

Recognising the substantial investment required to revitalise operations, Mr Bourg expressed optimism that this infusion of resources would not only rejuve­nate the telecom sector, but also stimulate economic growth.

“Our vision extends beyond traditional boundaries, aiming to foster seamless interaction, facili­tate unrestricted trade, and enable frictionless exchange of money and services across the continent through our innovative cash-lite approach. With this multifaceted strategy, Telecel is poised to con­tribute significantly to the develop­ment and prosperity of both the telecom industry and the broader Ghanaian economy and beyond,” he said.

The Africa Prosperity Dialogue brought together heads of states, industry leaders, civil society representatives, and academia, with a common aim to convert the ob­jectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) into practical strategies.

 BY KINGSLEY ASARE