Ghana Opens 2025 Africa Internet Summit, Marks 30 Years of Connectivity
In his welcome address, the Minister reflected on Ghana’s pioneering step in 1995 to connect to the global Internet despite limited infrastructure, while also outlining the progress made over the past three decades.
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 coincides with Ghana’s celebration of 30 years of Internet connectivity.
In his welcome address, the Minister reflected on Ghana’s pioneering step in 1995 to connect to the global Internet despite limited infrastructure, while also outlining the progress made over the past three decades. He pointed to milestones such as the establishment of the Ghana Internet Exchange in 2005, the arrival of multiple submarine cables, and the development of a vibrant ecosystem of mobile broadband, cloud data centres, and innovation hubs serving 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.”
– Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Ghana
Hon. George acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly uneven access, high connectivity costs, inadequate digital literacy, and cyber vulnerabilities. He emphasized that addressing these issues was critical to achieving inclusive growth and protecting Africa’s digital sovereignty.
The Minister also commended the contributions of 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 and supporting Ghana’s digital transformation, especially in underserved areas.
Looking to the future, he highlighted five priority areas for Africa’s digital development:
- Connecting Africa to itself to reduce reliance on external routing;
- Transitioning from consumers to creators of technology;
- Retaining digital value within Africa through open-source and AI frameworks;
- Powering the Internet with reliable, renewable energy; and
- Maintaining openness to innovation while ensuring fair competition and consumer protection.
He linked these ambitions to the government’s 24-Hour Economy agenda, which seeks to create jobs and improve service delivery through continuous 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. 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.”
– Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Ghana
