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Telecel Cash director pushes investment in connectivity and innovation to unlock Africa’s digital future

Alix Bourg — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 09:41:51 +0000

Director of Telecel Cash and Digital Transformation, Philip Amoateng, has underscored the importance of digital infrastructure, innovation, and technology as fundamental pillars for the continent’s economic growth and integration.

Speaking on how Africa can leverage digital infrastructure, innovation and technology to connect the continent on day two of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2025, Mr Amoateng said there is a need for strategic investments in technology with a unified approach to drive the continent’s shared prosperity.

“We live in a time where the future of our continent is being shaped not only by the physical roads we build, but by the invisible networks that power our economies, our communities, and our relationships.

“These are the digital highways of technology, which is now the lifeline of our socio-economic development,” he said, speaking to an audience of business leaders, industry stakeholders, government officials, private sector stakeholders and influencers from across the continent.

Mr Amoateng believes that Africa’s prosperity is closely linked to its ability to harness digital infrastructure and connectivity to advance the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the continent’s blueprint for inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.

With over 300 million people still without internet access, making the continent one of the least connected in the world, Mr Amoateng said without reliable and affordable access to the digital space, millions of Africans remain locked out of the global economy.

“We need to prioritise investments in broadband networks, fibre-optic cables, and 5G infrastructure to close the connectivity gap, specifically in rural and remote areas. This expansion will ensure that every African can access the opportunities of the digital economy.”

Organised by the Africa Prosperity Network and in partnership with the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) Secretariat, APD 2025 was on the theme “Delivering Africa’s Single Market through Infrastructure: Invest. Connect. Integrate.

The three-day gathering convened Heads of State, political leaders, private sector stakeholders, industry captains and financial players to forge partnerships, bridge Africa’s infrastructure gaps, and drive economic integration through strategic investments.

Citing the success of mobile money interoperability, which has transformed financial inclusion across sub-Saharan Africa, through the power of cross-collaboration, Mr Amoateng called for tech integration across sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, and finance.

With more than 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, he stressed the need to create an environment that empowers young Africans to solve real-world challenges using digital tools like artificial intelligence.

He also shared an example of Telecel Ghana’s efforts through its Connected Learning programme, which has already exposed over 20,000 children to digital technologies like AI and robotics.

“We are equipping the next generation with the skills to not only understand AI but to build AI solutions from scratch. This ensures we have the right talent to drive Africa’s digital future,” Mr Amoateng said.

Telecel Cash director pushes investment in connectivity and innovation to unlock Africa’s digital future

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Telecel CEO speaks on AI & Sustainability at World Economic Forum

Alix Bourg — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 09:31:44 +0000

Telecel Ghana’s chief executive, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai has addressed a high-level gathering of CEO and global leaders at the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) as a catalyst for sustainability.

The high-profile panel session, organised by Leaders on Purpose & Reuters@ on the theme, AI as a Catalyst for Sustainability explored the potential of AI in driving sustainable growth and transforming industries.

In the conversation moderated by climate, environment and conflict analyst, Nazanine Moshiri, Ing. Obo-Nai shared multiple examples of how AI is transforming connectivity in emerging markets and helping Telecel Ghana optimise its operations while maintaining a focus on environmental and societal impact.

“It is important that we adopt technological enhancements that make us more efficient while protecting the environment in which we operate. We also need to ensure that we are building businesses that are fit for the future. If we build an organization that doesn’t take care of its environment and society then that business will not survive long term.”

Ing. Obo-Nai shared insights into how the connectivity industry can leverage AI to enhance network efficiency and improve customer experience, but most importantly, ensuring these advancements are sustainable.

“The use of AI to predict when maintenance is due, predict hardware failures and reduce service disruptions means less operational challenges, less movement of engineers across sites, efficient energy management leading to less carbon emissions, hence protecting our environment. AI can help to determine locations where we can deploy solar systems as we move to more renewable energy sources.”

Telecel Ghana has incorporated AI to create personalised data and voice packages for customers, regardless of their socio-economic status, furthering inclusivity. Additionally, through the Telecel Foundation’s Connected Learning programme, AI is also being used to introduce over 20,000 children to digital technologies, including robotics, empowering future generations with the skills necessary to thrive in the AI-driven economy.

As part of the conversation about how businesses can thrive amid growing global challenges, Ing. Obo-Nai stressed the importance of building ‘future-fit’ companies.

“To build a resilient business, it’s critical that we meet the needs of today without compromising the future. We need to focus on climate change, resource conservation, and social equity. If society and the environment fail, businesses will fail too.”

Together with other speakers including Andy Poppink, CEO of JLL Global Markets and Mary de Wysocki, Chief Sustainability Officer of Cisco, the discussions explored how technology, sustainability, and equity intersect in shaping the future of the global economy.

https://thebftonline.com/2025/02/03/telecel-ceo-speaks-on-ai-sustainability-at-world-economic-forum/

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Telecel Group Issues Clarification Regarding the MTN Guinea Acquisition Deal

Alix Bourg — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 09:28:04 +0000

Telecel Group wishes to address and clarify recent media reports regarding the acquisition of MTN Guinea Conakry (Areeba Guinea S.A.).

While an agreement was signed between Telecel Group and MTN (Dubai) Limited for the acquisition of Areeba Guinea S.A., the completion of the transaction was explicitly subject to several conditions precedent (CPs) which were not fulfilled.

In October 2024, after the State of Guinea expressed its interest in acquiring Areeba Guinea S.A., Telecel Group made the decision to formally withdraw from the transaction.

Telecel Group confirms that it no longer holds any responsibilities, obligations, or liabilities concerning Areeba Guinea S.A. or its employees.

We trust that this statement resolves any ambiguity on the matter. Telecel Group encourages stakeholders, the media, and the public to rely solely on official communications from the company for accurate information.
– Excerpt from the Press Release

Telecel Group Issues Clarification Regarding the MTN Guinea Acquisition Deal

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Ghana’s startup ecosystem needs more investment, advisory support – Telecel Group ASIP Director

Alix Bourg — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 09:01:10 +0000

The Chief of Staff at Telecel Group, who also oversees the Africa Startup Initiative Programme (ASIP), Eleanor Azar, has called for increased investment and consultative support to strengthen Ghana’s growing tech startup ecosystem.

“Ghana has immense talent and potential in the tech start-up space. We are happy to have supported 40 start-ups for the four cohorts of ASIP who are tackling local problems in their communities.

However, the reality is that startups still face barriers that prevent them from scaling, including access to sufficient capital and the strategic advice to grow and navigate challenges in their markets. These are critical gaps that need to be addressed,” she said.

In her keynote address at the opening of the Tech in Ghana Conference in Accra, she shared insights on ASIP, a corporate social responsibility initiative by Telecel Group, to set the tone for two days of discussions and showcase of Ghana’s talent in technology and innovation.

She highlighted the significant strides that ASIP has made in the last four years to accelerate the growth of high-potential tech startups across Africa through a blend of funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities, with a focus on underserved markets in countries including Ghana.

On the theme: “Security, Synergy and Storytelling”, the two-day conference and exhibition brought together entrepreneurs, investors, tech leaders, diplomats and policy makers across Ghana to discuss the future of digital innovation on the continent.

About ASIP

Since its inception in 2019, ASIP has provided financial and mentorship support to a diverse range of startups through its global network of over 3000 mentors and $750,000 in total benefits.

The beneficiary startups, with 70 per cent being women-led, have gone on to create about 4,000 jobs in the last four years.

Call for collaboration

Ms Azar advocated for collaborative efforts and partnerships to nurture the growth and innovation of African early-stage businesses, urging government bodies, investors, and corporate entities to work together to create a more conducive environment.

“We believe that sustainable collaboration between the private sector, government, and international partners will help create an enabling and supportive environment where startups grow and contribute meaningfully to the economy.

These startups are within the communities and know the existing problems better and their solutions can help tackle the challenges the communities face, if given the right investment and advisory support,” she added.

She said through ASIP, Telecel Group aims to provide African startups with access to both local and international investors, mentorship and capacity building programmes that can help them scale and compete globally.

She pointed out that ASIP has already seen success with several startups from the four cohorts, and it is committed to make a bigger impact in Ghana’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem.

https://www.graphic.com.gh/business/business-news/ghanas-startup-ecosystem-needs-more-investment-advisory-support-telecel-group-asip-director.html

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Telecel Foundation empowers women entrepreneurs in Kumasi with digital and financial literacy training

Alix Bourg — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 10:25:23 +0000

Telecel Ghana Foundation in partnership with SHE Hub Ghana has trained 140 women entrepreneurs from the informal sector in Kumasi on digital and financial skills as part of the telecommunications giant’s annual Ashanti Month celebrations.

Fusing digital and financial skills with entrepreneurship, the training is aimed at exposing women business owners in the informal sector to digital and financial tools that will elevate their businesses to new heights to promote inclusive economic growth.

The women, who represent a diverse group of vocational traders include hairdressers, dressmakers, traders, and agribusiness owners, were each presented with a digital phone and a year’s supply of mobile data by the telco at the end of the training, a move designed to help them access the critical digital tools and apply their new skills to expand their market reach.

Delivering the keynote at the opening ceremony, Board Chair and Co-founder of Telecel Group, Nicolas Bourg highlighted the long-term value of the skills they will acquire and the advantages it would afford them as business owners in today’s rapidly evolving economy.

“Having a good understanding of digital tools and financial management skills will help you connect with a wider customer base through online platforms, expand your market reach and assist you in making informed financial decisions to secure your business’ future. Utilise the opportunity to ensure the growth of your business” Nicolas said”.

The training forms part of Telecel Ghana’s 2024 Ashanti Month celebrations in Kumasi, which include key activities such as headlining the 67th Asantehene Open Golf Tournament, customer visits by senior management, health screenings, clearing the medical bills of indebted patients in the regional hospital and market activations.

Head of Foundation, Sustainability and External Communications, Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, explained the purpose and significance of the digital and financial skills training in expanding businesses. “This training is an opportunity to level the playing field for women in the informal sector who face barriers in accessing the tools and knowledge that could help them grow. Today, that changes. We are giving the beneficiaries of the training the intellectual and physical tools to unlock the full potential of their businesses.”

The training module focused on digital tools for business promotion – the use of mobile apps, social media, and e-commerce platforms to improve service delivery and expand customer reach; and secondly, financial literacy – budgeting, record-keeping, and utilising mobile financial services to improve financial management and support sustainable business growth.

Each of the participants shared updates on their business and how the training will help them scale, as well as asked questions on several areas of the training for better grasp. At the end of the training, each received a smart phone with a special Telecel package of 2.5GB data every month for a year.

Training participant and owner of BLERG Couture, Priscilla Osei Brempong, was excited and grateful for the opportunity to build her capacity through the digital and financial skills training. “I’ve always wanted to reach more customers and grow my business. With the digital phone and data, I can now advertise online and manage my finances more easily. This training is exactly what I needed to take my business to the next level,” Priscilla said.

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Telecel Ghana Foundation Introduces “Telecel Digitech Academy” To Equip Students With Future-ready Skills

Alix Bourg — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 09:27:56 +0000

Telecel Ghana Foundation has launched the Telecel Digitech Academy at St. Cecilia RC School, Hodome in the Volta Region, to equip young students across Ghana with the essential digital skills required for the future. The Telecel Digitech Academy is a hands-on practical approach to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education with the aim to prepare the next generation of Ghanaians for the evolving global economy.

Speaking at the launch event, Augusta Andrews, Director of Legal and External Affairs at Telecel Ghana, emphasized the academy’s mission of empowering students, particularly young girls.

“The Telecel Digitech Academy is not just about providing technological tools, but empowering our youth to be creators, problem-solvers, and leaders. Our goal is to give as many students as possible the opportunity to succeed in the digital economy,” she stated. The academy places a strong focus on inclusivity, ensuring that 70% of participants are girls, addressing the gender gap in STEM education across the country.

The Telecel Digitech Academy, under the Foundation’s connected learning pillar, will focus on providing practical knowledge in robotics, programming, and website development, ensuring students are not only consumers of technology but creators and innovators. The initiative is also part of the Foundation’s broader commitment to bridging the digital divide and fostering future-ready skills for students in both urban and rural areas.

In support of the initiative, the Director of the National STEM Centre Mrs. Olivia Serwaa Opare, stressed on the importance of partnership and collaboration to achieve Ghana’s digital agenda. In a speech read on her behalf, she said, “programs like the Telecel Digitech Academy are shaping Ghana’s future. To truly empower our youth and prepare them for a competitive global market, we must ensure that they do not just use technology but understand and master it,” she added that digital literacy and STEM education are no longer optional but essential for the country’s growth.

David Asumadu, CEO of Asustem Robotics, one of the implementing partners in the program, highlighted the academy’s emphasis on practical application. “We are not just teaching students how to code or build robots. We are preparing them for the future of work, where technology will be at the core of everything,” he explained. The academy’s curriculum covers website development, scratch programming, Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics, providing students with the tools to innovate in various fields. He further encouraged students to embrace the skills they acquire, noting, “After this training, you’ll be able to develop websites, work on AI projects, and apply your knowledge in the real-world challenges.”

The Telecel Digitech Academy will run along the GES school term and is designed to supplement traditional classroom education with project-based learning.

https://peacefmonline.com/pages/local/tech/202410/511113.php?storyid=100&

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Telecel Ghana Donates To Onua Group Foundation In Support Of Menstrual Hygiene

Alix Bourg — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 08:35:24 +0000

Women in Telecel, in conjunction with Telecel Ghana Foundation, has donated 1,200 packs of sanitary towels to Onua Group Foundation to support the menstrual hygiene of young women in Mepe and Ada.

The kind gesture, a vital step in addressing the challenges faced by young women in accessing menstrual hygiene products, took place at the premises of Onua Group Foundation in Kanda, Accra.

The charitable arm of the telecommunications company, Telecel Ghana, believes the donation will improve the quality of life of young women in the beneficiary communities, who might stay away from school during their menstrual cycle due to the challenge of accessing sanitary towels.

“Women in Telecel and the Foundation are pleased to have pooled our resources together to donate these packs of sanitary towels to support the menstrual hygiene of young women in Mepe and Ada,” said Augusta Andrews, Director of Legal and External Affairs at Telecel Ghana. “Telecel is passionate about the wellbeing of girls and women, and we believe that every girl should have the opportunity to attend school and participate fully in society without being hindered by the stigma or inconvenience of menstruation.”

Inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products is an often-overlooked barrier that girls face, particularly in low-income areas where sanitary products can be expensive. According to multiple studies, a significant number of school-age girls in Ghana miss classes during their menstrual cycles due to a lack of access to these essential items.

Receiving the donation, Head of Onua Group Foundation, Abu Issa Monnie, expressed gratitude to the Women in Telecel group and the Foundation for their generous support and called on other organisations to follow suit.

“These sanitary towels are a critical necessity for young women in Mepe and Ada and they will make a real difference in their lives. We are calling on other organisations to follow in the steps of Telecel to ensure that more girls have access to the menstrual hygiene products they need to help them focus on learning in schools,” Issa Monnie said.

The donation of sanitary towels is part of Telecel Ghana Foundation’s ongoing commitment to support the health of vulnerable people in communities who need it most. Continued collaboration and advocacy can dismantle the barriers that prevent girls from realising their full potential.

https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/local/health/202410/510544.php

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Telecel Ghana kicks off Care Month with customer rewards and education

Alix Bourg — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 08:31:31 +0000

Telecel Ghana is marking its annual Care Month this October to celebrate loyal customers and recognise the contributions of frontline employees, in line with the theme for this year’s international Customer Service Week celebration – Going Above & Beyond: Connecting through CARE.

Telecel’s Care Month kicks off on October 7, with an exciting array of activities, underpinned by the telco’s core values of care, integrity, and innovation.

Throughout the month, Telecel Ghana will celebrate its internal and external stakeholders through initiatives, including customer rewards and giveaways, workplace visits, special voice and data promotions, and customer educationcampaigns.

Telecel Ghana’s CEO, Patricia Obo-Nai said, “We recognise and celebrate the support and loyalty of our customers over the years and are delighted to reward them with amazing incentives throughout October at our retail shops across the country and on our Telecel Play app. Thank you for entrusting us with your digital and telecom needs.”

For customers, Care Month will be filled with rewards including cakes, free data bundles, discounted food vouchers, souvenirs and discounted cinema tickets among others.

Another distinctive initiative for this year’s CARE Month is the Super Care upgrade.

An improved, targeted customer service enhancement for the Deaf community to promote greater inclusion.

It includes onboarding assistive technology on the Telecel Play App to ensure Deaf customers access customer support seamlessly and benefit from tailored discounted data and SMS bundles.

In collaboration with the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD), Telecel Ghana will hold engagement sessions with the Deaf community to make them aware of the tailored customer service enhancements and packages.

Telecel Ghana will also roll out an interactive educational campaign on its self-help customer service channels, including accessing Telecel Cash and its virtual assistant, TERi on the Telecel Play App.

Telecel employees are not left out of the Care Month celebration as there will be internal appreciation initiatives for frontline staff, including awards for top-performing staff, health and wellbeing talks, treasure hunt and special costume days, among others.

General Manager of Commercial Operations, Mercy Dawn Akude said “In line with this year’s theme, we are committed to going above and beyond for our customers.

“We count on their constructive feedback and insights which have been instrumental in shaping our customer-centric service approach.

“We believe in strengthening our long-term relationship with customers, built on trust, reliability, and exceptional service.”

CARE Month is an annual celebration of the loyalty of customers and the dedication of frontline employees by Telecel Ghana.

Customers should keep an eye on Telecel Ghana’s social media channels and visit their retail shops to participate in the rewarding activities planned for October.

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We cannot drive digital transformation with silo mentality – Telecel CEO

Alix Bourg — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 08:26:17 +0000

To overcome challenges to Ghana’s digital transformation, we must cultivate an ecosystem where start-ups, corporations, governments and non-profits work in concert rather than in isolation, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Telecel Ghana, Patricia Obo-Nai has said.

She believes that teamwork and a blend of diverse perspectives are essential for driving progress in the country’s digital transformation.

“Collaboration has the power to spark innovation because everyone brings a unique set of knowledge and skills to the table – propelling a solution to top of the market. It allows us to combine diverse perspectives, skills and experiences to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

“One of the greatest challenges to digital transformation is overcoming the silo mentality – which is the unwillingness to share information and ideas with each other because we believe that gives us a competitive edge. The world has moved on,” she elaborated.

Additionally, she said the country’s digital transformation trajectory must be one whereby opportunities are accessible to all – further noting that this requires investing in digital literacy programmes, supporting grassroots innovators and creating platforms that amplify under-represented voices.

Ms. Obo-Nai made these remarks in a keynote address at the opening ceremony of Ghana Digital and Innovation Week (GDIW) 2024 in Accra on the theme ‘Innovate together: collaborating for digital transformation and impact’.

Citing the GSMA Mobile Economy Report 2023, she indicated that only half of the global population are connected to the internet. She added that 41 percent are not using it, while 4 percent have no signal to even think of connecting.

Also, she said that in sub-Saharan Africa, the gap is even wider, as less than a quarter of the population are connected – with 60 percent of the people not using it and 15 percent not having any signal at all.

Additionally, she said the world needs over US$400billion to close the infrastructure gap – which requires partnership and collaboration.

Touting efforts made by her outfit with respect to closing the gap, Ms. Obo-Nai mentioned that: “Through our partnership with government, we have been able to connect over 1,000 rural communities. Government provided the infrastructure and we as a telco brought our spectrum and transmission-reach to connect these communities with the internet”.

She noted that the country’s youthful population, with a median age of 21 and nearly six million out of 33 million people active on social media, offers promising opportunities for growth.

“We are one of the highest consumers of data – about 10gb per consumer. This presents a huge opportunity to accelerate our development through digital if we can tap into the interest, passion of our youth and direct their energies into digital skills that can drive productivity. The dividends are enormous and we should not miss out,” she also said.

The GDIW 2024 is meant to inspire action, foster commitments, celebrate successes and encourage collaboration among stakeholders and partners within the country’s digital ecosystem.

It is organised by the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) in partnership with the Ghana Hubs Network (GHN) and Impact Investing Ghana (IIGh).

Other partners include the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), MASHAV (Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation) through the Embassy of Israel in Ghana, the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation.

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Telecel Completes Acquisition of MTN Guinea Bissau

Alix Bourg — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 13:40:40 +0000

Telecel Group Mobile and MTN Group announced the completion of the transfer of MTN Guinea Bissau (Spacetel) to Telecel, marking a new chapter in the telecommunications landscape of the West African country. Telecel Group Mobile assets are fully managed by Telecel Group.

The acquisition process, which was closely monitored and approved by the Autoridade Reguladora Nacional (ARN), signifies Telecel’s commitment to expanding its footprints in the West African region. With this acquisition by Telecel Group Mobile, Telecel Group reaffirms its dedication to expanding its management footprint in Africa and delivering high-quality telecommunications services to the people of Guinea Bissau.

Telecel Group Mobile under the management of Telecel Group, has successfully fulfilled all the technical and financial requirements stipulated by the ARN, ensuring a seamless transition and continued adherence to the highest industry standards. The acquisition will not only enhance Spacetel service offerings but also introduce new technologies and infrastructure improvements to benefit the consumers and businesses in Guinea Bissau.

As part of its commitment to the local community, Telecel Group Mobile plans to invest in expanding network coverage, improving service quality, and launching new products tailored to the needs of Guinea Bissau’s diverse population. This strategic investment aims to encourage digital inclusion and drive economic development in the region.

MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita

We are delighted to hand over the reins of MTN Guinea Bissau to Telecel Group, a company with a strong track record. This disposal aligns with our strategic priority to accelerate portfolio transformation. We thank our employees, customers and all stakeholders for their support over the years and are confident that Telecel will build on the solid foundation we have established in Guinea Bissau.

Telecel Group CEO, Moh Damush

We are excited to officially welcome MTN Guinea Bissau into the Telecel family of managed networks. This is a testament to our commitment to the African market and our vision of connecting people through reliable and innovative telecommunications solutions. We are dedicated to providing exceptional services that will enhance connectivity and support economic growth.

https://www.thefastmode.com/mobile-network-operators-m-a/36762-telecel-completes-acquisition-of-mtn-guinea-bissau

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